But this Sunday, more than most, the young Forbes halfback knows having a laugh and throwing the footy around with the rest of the Magpies boys will take somewhat of a back seat to the job at hand.

Forbes travels to Dubbo to take on defending premiers CYMS in the biggest game of Group 11’s 10^th round at Apex Oval.

The Fishies are undefeated and firming as premiership favourites by the round, but Lamb insists the Magpies can match it with the Group’s big guns.

After a month where the black and whites battled their way to just one win and three losses – that sole victory a scrappy 18-14 result against the winless Narromine – the Magpies are now flying on the back of a four-game winning streak.

Lamb says there’s no reason the black and whites can’t continue that run of hot form on Sunday.

“We’re looking forward to a big game … it’s going to be a hard one but we’ll get there. We’ve just got to play the full 80 minutes instead of pulling up,” he said.

“We’ve been working hard at training and everyone is getting there. We’re on top of it, which is good.”

After floating across Forbes’ backline in 2017, Lamb has been handed the No.7 jumper this year, and in turn the reins of the team.

Barking orders to senior forwards like skipper Jake Grace, and front-row Bens, Maguire and Robinson, isn’t daunting the former Red Bend ace.

“They’ve been great for me,” he said of his pack.

“The forwards do their job and I’ve just got to work off that and I’m starting to own the spot now. I’m really looking forward to the end of the season.”

Which, is Lamb continues to develop his combination with both five-eighth Mitch Burke and fullback Charlie Staines, could see Forbes play in some big end-of-season games.

“(Mitch is) good, he’s a bit wild but he puts the head down when he knows there’s a big job ahead,” Lamb laughed.

“And it’s fun to play with Charlie, he brings so much energy to the team.”

The Magpies are coming off a confidence-boosting 42-20 victory over Macquarie, a side that knocked off the back and whites in the first round.

Coach Cameron Greenhalgh said the improvement in Forbes’ performance was there to see, with the Magpies defence more staunch and the side’s attacking football beginning to flourish.

Unfortunately, though, Greenhalgh’s outfit will head into the CYMS clash sans a couple of those attacking bright spots. 

Jarrad Tyack will likely miss a few weeks after suffering concussion in a heavy while Richard Fiu sustained a hamstring injury that will be monitored closely.

“He’s keen, but we’ll play that by ear,” Greenhalgh said. 

Sunday’s fixtures kick-off with league tag from 10am.