Zack Lamont: 'It would mean everything to wear a maroon jersey'

“Everything they spoke about … the characters of a good person … that stuck with me.

“And being in and around a lot of great players you play in amongst for your whole life is really good fun.”

Lamont said he did not expect to be part of the Queensland Under 19 squad, despite playing Queensland Under 17 Country in 2021 and being part of the Queensland Under 18 Emerging squad last year.

“I was really excited,” Lamont said, adding he and North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns mates Matua Brown and Elekana Suavai were told together.

“We’re all proud of each other to be called upon. It would mean everything to wear a maroon jersey.”

The last time he was maroon was for Queensland Schoolboys as a 15-year-old and he got the bug.

“Putting on the maroon jersey was such a good feeling,” Lamont said.

“Even wearing this kit now. It would mean everything to me, and my parents, it would mean a lot to them too.

“Dad always says it's everything he worked for. All those hours in the backyard, he reckons. It would be such a good experience.

“We're all Queenslanders. Everyone would have their Queensland beanies on for State of Origin. Every bit of Queensland kit we had, to watch it on the TV. It was a really good experience every time Origin was on. Getting the pizza, soft drink.”

Rugby league for Lamont, now 19, started on the Sunshine Coast when he was nine and he hasn’t looked back.

“My first club was Maroochydore Swans, then I moved to Kawana Dolphins. First rep team was Sunny Coast schoolboys and played Queensland Schoolboys when I was 15,” Lamont said.

“Moved to Brisbane Tigers for Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup. First year of Mal when I was 17. Moved to boarding school in Brisbane and played for Churchie.

“Moved to Townsville last year for the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns program they have and played for the Townsville Blackhawks in Mal and transferred into Hastings Deering Colts.”

It was an exciting move for someone who looked up to Johnathan Thurston as a child.

“I loved any halfback that was good… Johnathan Thurston was so good,” Lamont said.

“He does pop around for kicking sessions. Every time you see him there, you're kind of in awe. Whenever he's around, everyone loves it.

“Darren Lockyer…. he was so dominant starting out. That's when I really started getting into footy. Obviously I was nine, but I'd go back and watch all of his stuff. He was so good. Such a good five-eighth who moved around the field really well.”

Lamont, who is studying nutrition at university, said he would play Colts again this year “then hopefully some Hostplus Cup towards the back end of the year”.

“Training hard up there,” Lamont said.

“We don't really do a lot with the top squad but Chad (Townsend) always comes down and talks to us. He played halfback, I play halfback. He's really good to listen to. A good mentor.”

Lamont said he was keen to step up this year after losing last year’s Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup final to Souths Logan Magpies – a team that included a few of his Queensland Under 19 squad mates including Blake Mozer and Israel Leota.

“Up until the grand final, we were going good,” Lamont said.

“Transitioned to 21s after that and started playing some good footy. Finals came around. I didn't play in the grand final but the boys ended up winning it, so it was a good year for the Blackhawks. I was pretty happy with the year.

“My goals this year are to start good. As a Colts team, start how we started last year, if not better, and as a team, make it to the grand final again and hopefully win.

“My personal goal is to get a Cup game or two. That would be the pinnacle of the year. See what happens. I want to sign with the Cowboys and move into the NRL squad next year. Impress there.”

It’s playing alongside friends and winning that keeps Lamont on track.

“Being around the boys, there's no feeling like winning a game all together. In the sheds after a hard-fought game where you get a win, there's no better feeling,” Lamont said.

“Losses come too, which make you want to win more, but yeah, it's just fun. I really enjoy it.”

The Hastings Deering Colts competition kicks off in April.