Dragons rookie Zac Lomax eyes first crack at centre spot
St George Illawarra young gun Zac Lomax wants a centre berth for 2019 — now the Dragons have to find a way to fit him, Euan Aitken and Tim Lafai into two starting spots.
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St George Illawarra young gun Zac Lomax has signalled his intentions to lock down a starting centre spot as the Dragons toy with fitting him, Euan Aitken and Tim Lafai into their top 13.
Now the trio are locked in a battle for two starting spots after 19-year-old Lomax finished last season in the top grade following an injury to Aitken who had been pushing for a NSW spot last season while Lafai was just one of three Dragons to start every game.
“I’d like to be able to play centre,” Lomax said. “You have to do what’s best for the team, whether Mary (coach Paul McGregor) wants me to play wing or centre. I’m happy to play wherever. I’m not too fussed. I’ve been training a lot at centre a lot at wing.
“There are some quality centres at the Dragons. They have been good for the last three or four years. The spots not going to be given to any of us. It’s been really good to learn off all our teammates. They are good at giving feedback to me. It’s about taking it on board and being as positive as I can.”
Lomax, who played four top grade games last season, said he has spent this pre-season training “half and half” between centre and wing as the Dragons look to uncover their best backline heading into their round one clash against North Queensland.
The retirement of Jason Nightingale and departure of Nene McDonald to the Cowboys has left the wing spots wide open.
“They are completely different positions these days,” Lomax said. “The winger can play a role like a front-rower at the back end of your field taking a lot of hard carries.
“Centre you tend to get a lot of early ball and beat opposite your centre one-on-one and try and get quick play the balls.
“I’m more confident at centre than wing. I’ve been trying to learn the game as a winger a little bit better than I am.”
While Lomax is hopeful of either playing centre or wing to start this season he has another position in mind when it comes to his long-term future.
“Fullback would be my favourite position,” Lomax said. “I’d like to play fullback down the track. To be thrown in at fullback at a young age is a bit of an ask.”
“I’m confident at centre or wing. Just playing fullback I came through the junior ranks. You have your hands on the ball more than you ever do.”
Meanwhile, Lomax’s new home has made the commute to training at Wollongong as easy as possible.
“I live across the road,” Lomax said. “I don’t get too much traffic in the morning. Me and my brother bought a unit there a couple months ago. It’s been good with pre-season not having to wake up too early. It’s been good heading straight over to training.”
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Originally published as Dragons rookie Zac Lomax eyes first crack at centre spot
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