Zac Lomax is “stoked” to have officially finished his time at St George Illawarra as the State of Origin winger finally elaborates on his reasons for leaving the NRL club when in career-best form.
And Lomax has confirmed he expects to revert to playing centre at Parramatta, a wish he says will be granted by new coach Jason Ryles despite winger Maika Sivo’s recent departure.
Lomax perplexed the NRL world by successfully seeking a release from the final two years of his Dragons deal during a brilliant first campaign on the wing that eventually yielded maiden NSW and Australian caps.
The 25-year-old had been reluctant to discuss his reasoning while still contracted at Saints but lifted the lid after officially becoming an Eels player on November 1.
The chance for a fresh start motivated Lomax to move on from the Dragons after seven years, with the Temora native confident in the Eels’ chances of improving from last year’s 15th-placed finish.
“I’ll miss them (Dragons teammates) so much because I’ve been there for a number of years, but I’m stoked my time there is up,” Lomax said at Kangaroos training for Sunday’s Pacific Cup final.
“I needed a different way in my footy career, and I feel for me it was the best decision I could have made. I’m super looking forward to it.
“I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I’d been there for a long time, but ultimately I wanted to win.
“I don’t feel where that team (Eels) finished this year is how they’re going to go next year. I feel that with the team and the club at Parra, we’re going to have a really successful year.”
Lomax empathised with Kangaroos teammate Ben Hunt, successfully released from his own Dragons contract last week after 18 months of on-again off-again tension between player and club.
Hunt has long spoken of a desire to finish his career in home state Queensland but has not yet signed a contract for 2025.
“I back his decision,” Lomax said.
“He just wants to go and win. He obviously doesn’t feel at the moment that he’s going to be able to do that at the Dragons.
“I’ve done the exact same thing so we’re both on the same page.”
Lomax was reluctant to move to the wing under first-year Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, and has spoken to Ryles about returning to centre, where he played his first six seasons in the NRL.
With Sivo now on the books at Super League side Leeds, high-leaping Lomax is the Eels’ most elite option at the critical wing position ahead of journeymen Bailey Simonsson and Sean Russell.
But the star recruit is adamant he does not want to play in the position where he enjoyed a career-best season.
“Where do you reckon I should play? Everyone seems to have their opinion,” Lomax asked journalists on Monday.
“I’ve only said it probably 400 times but centre (is where I want to play).
“I’m thoroughly enjoying playing wing here (at the Kangaroos) but at this stage, I’ll be playing number four.
“We (Ryles and I) have spoken about it.”
Clint Gutherson’s early release from his Eels contract has not dampened Lomax’s enthusiasm for joining the club, with the ex-Parramatta captain appearing on track to join Saints.
“I wish him all the best,” Lomax said.
“I mean it would obviously be ideal to have him there (at the Eels), absolutely, he’s got an impact and influence on the team and the players, but the club as well.
“Obviously the club’s going in a different direction at the moment and us players will buy into it as well.”
