HAVING gone close last year, Lewis Hamilton now wants to make the most of his chance in a Newcastle Rebels jersey.
The Souths back-rower, a carpenter by trade, had been called up late for the second representative fixture in 2021 but was working away and unable to meet the playing requirements.
Fast forward to this week and Hamilton said he was "looking forward to it" after being named in the Rebels squad ahead of a game against Canberra in the nation's capital on May 14.
"I got called up last year for the last game after a few injuries [in the existing squad], but I was working away and couldn't make the training session," Hamilton said.
"There was a rule, which I understood, if you couldn't train than you couldn't play so I missed out unfortunately. I thought if I started the year [2022] well I was hoping to get picked. I'm looking forward to it."
The 22-year-old, who lives at Adamstown Heights, was born and bred in Singleton and started his rugby league career in the Greyhounds' junior ranks.
He grew up playing alongside Newcastle Rugby League's leading try scorer, Maitland winger James Bradley.
Hamilton finished in his home town with an under 18s campaign, eventually making the move to Souths.
Outside a season playing Jersey Flegg with the Knights in 2019 and a year off during a COVID-interrupted 2020, he has been with the Lions.
However, Hamilton missed Souths' premiership run in 2018 after suffering a broken ankle shortly after his first-grade debut.
A shot at grand-final glory is firmly on the agenda.
"We've got a really good bunch of blokes there and we're all good mates. Hopefully we can build to something later on in the year. That's definitely pretty important to me this year," Hamilton said.
Souths, having collected the wooden spoon when last year's competition was cancelled because of coronavirus, are 2-1 from three outings so far this campaign.
The opening two matches were washed out before the Lions kick-started proceedings with a 36-22 victory over Central on Sleapy's Day.
They fell to Wyong 38-24 on Good Friday but rebounded with a 22-14 win against Cessnock on Saturday.
"We haven't put an 80-minute performance together yet, but we somehow hang in there and find a way to get it done," he said.
Souths are keen to convert a fourth straight home game, Kurri Kurri at Townson Oval on Sunday, ahead of hitting the road against Lakes, The Entrance and Maitland.
Hamilton, joined by Souths teammates Ryan Glanville and Jack Welch, began training with the Rebels at Harker Oval on Wednesday night.
