Still just 21 years of age, Lalor said taking more responsibility as an experienced member of Northcote's side has been his aim.

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"I'm stoked with how I'm going at the minute, just backing myself a bit more I guess, really just trying to take a bit more leadership I guess and actually trying to be the man instead of standing back a bit," he said.

Lalor has been touted as a name for Victoria's state side to keep a watchful eye on, however he said he is just focusing on producing a consistent season this campaign.

"I think it's probably every young cricketer's goal I guess (to play for their state), but for me at the minute it's probably just to try and be consistent, try and have a consistent year," he said.

"If you get runs on the board you put your name out there, they've almost got no reason why not to give you a crack at the 2nd XI cricket.

"Obviously for me, I probably haven't had a whole year of consistent runs and wickets, probably last year was my best year, but I'd love to double the runs and have the same amount of wickets.

"That'd sort of be putting the name forward, but I'm just happy playing good cricket at Northcote, it's a good club and whatever happens, happens."

The all-rounder, who played for East Ballarat early last BCA season, has hit 77* and 86 in his first two innings, averaging 163.

He also took 5-22 from 6.1 overs in Northcote's opening win over Frankston Peninsula.

"With the ball in the first game I got a bit lucky, but a few changes of pace and stuff got a few good wickets," Lalor said.

He feels his time is now to make an impact at the level.

"I started there (in) year 10, so 16, so this is my sixth year, so I've been there for a while," he said.

"I am still young, but I've been there for so long so it's sort of the year where it's probably time to step up.

"Bit more comfortable, but that does come with time, you see a lot of these young kids in premier cricket, their first one or two years are pretty good and then they sort of have a bit of a slump, which happened to me actually.

"My first two years (were) better than expected and then the next couple were shocking, so I've just sort of found something that works and it's just all about repetition with cricket, it's definitely a mental game, in my opinion ..."

With the premier season to be strictly one-day games, Lalor said it has helped him prepare, knowing the type of game style he has to produce.

Ultimately he prefers to bat in the longer format of the game, however feels he can make up for slow starts once he gets his eye in in one-day cricket.

"For me, it's just about spending as much time out in the middle, I probably start off slow but I know I can make it up," he said.

Lalor added that the one-day format suits his bowling.

"Definitely for my bowling one-day cricket's helped, I work pretty closely with our captain who's actually a St Pat's boy, Blayde Baker, he's been good for me, sort of backing me in, having a bit of trust in me, which is good," he said.

"I'm not overly quick or anything, I'm sort of keeper-up type stuff, just try and hit a pad, slower balls, just be workman like."

Lalor and Northcote now turn their attention to Fitzroy Doncaster on Saturday, a side Lalor hit 31 runs from 32 balls against last season.

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