**This is from almost two and a half years ago** This kid has been waiting this long for the chance. If he hadn't of been injured, we'd be talking about him being better than Moltz right now.
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Lazarus has the right bloodline
BY WAYNE COUSINS
**12 Dec, 2007**
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BLAKE Lazarus wants to make it clear hard work, and not the famous Lazarus name, has got him to where he is today.
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The 19-year-old has landed himself a contract with the Wests Tigers Toyota Cup under-20 team and not only is he determined to shine in the new competition, **he also wants a crack at playing half-back for the Wests Tigers first grade team.**
As a cousin of former NSW and Australian prop Glenn Lazarus, Blake has the bloodlines to be a success.
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He has the form behind him, too, having won the Balmain Tigers Rising Star Award for 2007 not bad for a young man who joined the Tigers after limited opportunities at Parramatta, the Bulldogs, and the Sharks.
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Blake grew up in Campbelltown and played for the Eagle Vale-St Andrews club before moving onto the Parramatta competition.
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``I have never used the Lazarus name to get ahead, I have had to do the hard work myself,'' Lazarus said.
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``Glenn told me not everything will be given to me and that I need to put my head down and to do the work.
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``He also told me to prepare for life after football as your career can end anytime, so I am going study carpentry at TAFE next year.''
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**Just like his famous cousin, Lazarus is not short on confidence and is eyeing off the number seven jersey occupied by John Morris.**
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He already has done some field sessions with the first graders in between training with his under-20 team-mates.
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Morris is the incumbent half and has NRL experience behind him. **Outside of Morris, Lazarus faces stiff competition in Wests Tigers Junior Kangaroos Tim Moltzen and Wayde Dunley.**
``I welcome the competition. **You have to back your own ability,**'' Lazarus said.
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``If I can train hard and put on the weight I want to, then who knows.
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``I might get some time in a trial match to impress.''
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Wests Tigers Toyota Cup Coach Peter Gentle said Lazarus is under no illusions as to what it takes to make first grade.
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``If I had 25 players with the same, right attitude that he has, then it would make my job very easy indeed,'' Gentle said.
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``He would have to be one of the most well organised young players I' ve come across. He certainly doesnt leave anything to chance.
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``Blake wants to make it to first grade and it could well happen next season, but in saying that, there is plenty of hard work and football to be played before then.
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``**I can tell you one thing, though, when his opportunity does come, he will make the most of it.**''
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It is not only Lazarus' attitude to training that has impressed officials.
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He is keen to learn what rugby league is about, on and off the field.
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He has participated in Wests Tigers community events including the Fishers Ghost Street Parade in Campbelltown and the White Ribbon Foundation event that supported the elimination of violence against women.
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``I enjoy the community work. If I can do more, I will,'' Lazarus said.
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``It shows the other side of the game and the good work rugby league players do in the community.
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``For me it's a learning curve. I'm very happy at the Wests Tigers and I can't wait for the comp to start.''
