Lachlan Ilias faced a challenging start to last season when he was dropped by the South Sydney Rabbitohs, only to suffer a severe leg injury while playing in the NSW Cup, sidelining him for the entire year. Now, as a halfback for the Dragons, Ilias has transformed adversity into opportunity, enhancing his playmaking skills while recovering at home. His aspirations for the Dragons are ambitious; he aims to help the team break into the top four, building on the disappointment of falling just short of the finals last year.
Ilias’s recovery was arduous, marked by intense pain and long periods of immobility following a complex surgery. Yet through this, he gained new insights into the game by observing from the sidelines, which has contributed to his growth as a player. Inspired by Nathan Cleary’s strategic play during the Panthers’ finals, Ilias has been analysing defensive tactics and how to exploit them effectively.
His determination to improve has been buoyed by the realisation that he can return to the field with a fresh perspective, and he is eager to channel this new understanding into his gameplay with the Dragons. Ilias believes that his time away from the game has ultimately made him a better player, setting a solid foundation for the upcoming season.