Dam building exercise: Lauren embraces new challenge

“They got us at the start of the game, but with our girls; we can definitely come through at the end, but moving forward, we really need to get the jump,” Dam said.

“I think we can take a lot of confidence (from the fightback).

“If we really start with that back end of the game at the start of the game, we can really go forward with that game and get to play a little bit less frantic.”

In her first appearance of the year last week, Dam scored a try after coming off the bench to play in the second row.

Normally a centre or winger, Dam admitted to finding the transition tough but said the help of her teammates made the 35-minute stint easier to handle.

“That was definitely a surprise (playing in the forwards), but the girls are really good at communicating what they need from me, and Princey [coach Scott Prince] as well.

“It's definitely a tough transition on the fly, compared to a few tackles on the wing to jump into the middle, a few more tackles.”

Dam has been named this week to start in the second row against the Dragons and said the team would look to address their slow start against the Roosters in preparation for the dangerous Dragons.

“With the Dragons, we must stick to our game plan and really hone in on what our game plan is and get off the bus earlier in the game and not let them get the points in front of us,” Dam said.

In-form hooker Jada Ferguson has been named to start for Brisbane, despite coming off just before full-time with cramps.

Ferguson ran 107 metres, made 12 dummy-half runs, assisted in one try and made a massive 40 tackles to continue her impressive start to the season.

Prince said he had encouraged Ferguson, who debuted for the Maroons this year to play State of Origin alongside her cousin – and currently sidelined Broncos centre Shenae Ciesiolka – to run more and back herself.

“She’s really developed her game and we’re trying to give her more minutes and she’s got fitter and taking the line on, starting to identify off a quick play-the-ball there’s good opportunities for her to run,” Prince said.

The game against the Roosters was a positive sign of things to come.

“Princey has told me to play with confidence and not overdo my role, so if there's ever a marker down or anything, run and just keep it all simple,” Ferguson said.

“He's given me a lot of confidence to do what I can do, which is really helping improve my game.

“I think last year really set me up to have a good year this year … just staying fit and healthy and having a good pre- season and working hard on the off season really helped me for this year.”

Ferguson said the top-of-the-table clash against the Roosters was a good test for her and her side and they could apply some lessons going into the match against the Dragons.

“The Roosters was a good test for us to see where we're at as a group,” Ferguson said.

“We always knew it was going to be a hard game. They've got a big forward pack and they definitely tested us, especially that first 20 minutes where we were kind of struggling to hold on a bit, but I think we flipped a switch and started coming back strong.

“I think if we had five more minutes, we could have got there.

“We're working really hard and I think we've got a good group here to get the wins.

“I think we just need to find that balance where we can play good footy both halves.

“Positive signs. We'll be back bigger and better next week against the Dragons.”

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