Newcastle Knights rising star Brock Lamb admits he once took playing in the Telstra Premiership for granted, but not anymore.
Lamb told pan66.com he would control his own destiny after being promoted to the starting side following Connor Watson being sidelined for 6-8 weeks due to a shoulder injury.
"Ever since the start of last year, I took playing in the NRL for granted," Lamb said.
"It's now all up to me. If I want it, it's there for me to have."
The local Maitland junior will get his chance in the starting line-up for the first time this season on Sunday against the unbeaten St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong.
"You don't want to see any of your teammates and your mates get injured," Lamb said of Watson.
"He's got rehab in front of him now and I am sure he will smash that. Until he's back I'll be taking this opportunity with both hands and I am going to show what I can do."
Dragons v Knights - Round 4
The former Sydney Rooster earned first shot at the No.6 jersey as Mitchell Pearce's halves partner this season but Lamb said he brought a different set of skills to the role, with Watson a natural ball-runner while he is more of a traditional playmaker.
"I like to be organised a lot more and I tend to play well with shape around me," he said.
"We are totally different players. I'm also working on my own running game.
"But I hope to bring some more organisation to the team and take a bit more pressure off Mitch and get the win."
