Palm Beach Currumbin defender Joshua Lys is the round 4 Rising Star nominee, after a starring role in the Lions’ win over Mt Gravatt last Saturday.
Lys has quickly become a key post in the Lions’ back six, rarely beaten in a one-on-one, and is also someone who can set the attack up from the back half with ball in hand.
“I thought my first half wasn’t too great, but I got more in the game in the second half, which was when I started playing my best footy. I started running more, and beat my opponent,” Lys said.
Palm Beach had their work cut out for them shaking off an in-form Vultures outfit.
“We knew they were going to be a good running side, so we really had to get them on the outside and outrun them, which we did well I think,” he said.
Still only 19-years-old, Lys has taken to senior football like a duck to water.
Since debuting in round 1, 2015, he hasn’t missed a game… not one.
“Last year was my first year of seniors, so I really just focused on beating my opponent each week. I guess that’s my main job and why I have been picked,” he said.
He has slotted into the backline seamlessly from day dot.
It’s a great backline to be in, especially with guys like Jacko (Jackson Emblem) and Schneids (Blake Schneider) and the rest. They help you out heaps, tell you what you do wrong and tell you what you do right, so it’s been really good,” Lys said.
“We all really gel as well. We all run pretty hard, and know where each other are at all times, so it allows me a bit of freedom which is good.”
After the first month of footy, he is happy with how the team is faring.
“At 3-1, that’s a good place to be. You need to make these early wins count, so hopefully we can turn it into playing finals this year,” he said.
Lys was destined to be a Palm Beach senior player, every game of footy he has played has been in the maroon and yellow.
In music to the club’s ears, he doesn’t plan on going anywhere either.
“Every kid dreams of playing for the SUNS or whoever, but I couldn’t see myself playing for any other club than Palm Beach,” Lys said.
The Lions next game comes after the bye when they travel to Chelmer to take on the Western Magpies on May 7.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
