It is very hard not to be impressed by Blake Lazarus.

At the age of 20, Blake knows what he wants to achieve in rugby league. More importantly, he is aware of what life can dish up.

A Western Suburbs junior, there was an air of expectation on Blake upon arriving at Concord Oval. Being the nephew of Test great Glenn Lazarus was enough weight to carry in itself.

To this day, Blake has never lived off the Lazarus name. "Uncle Glen" may be his manager but that’s where they draw the line. Blake is determined and skillful enough to make a name for himself in rugby league.

With a solid pre-season behind him, Blake started 2008 in fine form and was more than a shining light for the Wests Tigers in the inaugural Toyota Cup competition.

Two tries in his first game, kicking goals from the sideline, to carving up the defence from full-back had people talking about this ‘Lazarus kid’. Not a bad start for a half-back who moved to full-back to make way for a Junior Kangaroo in Wayde Dunley.

Four games into the season, it all came to an abrupt halt when he suffered a left knee injury in the first half against Penrith at Campbelltown Stadium.

By half-time, Blake knew he needed to undergo a reconstruction. Not the news a promising 19-year-old wants to hear. It was only a few weeks earlier that Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens gave him a run in first grade in the Foundation Cup trial.

In between receiving hospital visits from Wests Tigers CEO Steve Noyce and Welfare Manager/ Toyota Cup manager Darren Mooney, Blake was hoping for some good news.

It came when Wests Tigers Recruitment Manager Warren McDonnell met with Glenn Lazarus. A deal was done, resulting in Blake being apart of the 2009 Wests Tigers top 25-man squad. Wests Tigers have an option for 2010.

For Blake, it was a welcome relief. However, relief was soon replaced by loud music and plenty of sweat as he began working on his rehab under Wests Tigers Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator, and former first grade star, David Boyle.

"Signing the contract gave me more ammunition to work even harder in the gym," Blake said.

"Boyley has helped me to build up muscle. I started the season around 79/80 kilos. I’m now 87 and I want to play around that 87-89 kilo mark."

"It was a big wake up call when I started training with him and (Performance Co-ordinator) Cherry Mescia. They make you mentally tougher."

It was a big change for the non drinker and non-smoker who "loves a cup of English Breakfast Tea".

In between training, Blake relished the community work being done by Wests Tigers. For more than 10 weeks, he led his U20 team-mates through the Kids of Macarthur Ward at Campbelltown Hospital.

"It opens your eyes up to the real world when you see what some of these kids are going through," Blake said.

"We are not superstars by any means but because we play for Wests Tigers, the kids looked up to us. I’ll never forget their smiles."

Whilst most players are looking forward to their holiday break, Blake is the opposite. He thrives on the Wests Tigers environment and when not lifting weights, can be seen smiling and walking around the football office in his slippers.

For him, the start of pre-season training on November 17 can’t come quick enough. And with the departure of captain and full-back Brett Hodgson, Blake knows what he wants.

"I am jumping out of my skin. It is like when you are a young kid and you know that Santa Claus is coming soon. You just get so excited. That’s how I am now," Blake said, with that ever widening smile.

"I want to play full-back, that’s where I want to be. I want to make the number one jersey my own," Blake said, confidently.

"Tim has told me I am in his plans and that I’ve just got to keep working hard. There are other players here being looked at for the full-back role as well.

"All I can do is keep my head down and listen to the coaching staff. I know nothing is ever given to you."