State of Origin 2024: Why Zac Lomax has Dragons coach Shane Flanagan to thank for NSW Blues debut
The unwanted positional switch that led to Zac Lomax leaving the Dragons has now turned him into an Origin star. Lomax may want to play centre, but the numbers prove he’s made to be a winger.
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The positional switch that led to Zac Lomax leaving St George Illawarra has now turned the Dragons star into an Origin winger.
Shane Flanagan’s decision to end Lomax’s career as a centre at the Dragons – to use him on the wing instead in 2024 – has been a masterstroke from the premiership-winning coach.
Lomax was granted a release from the final two years of his deal with the Red V, to join Parramatta from 2025, amid speculation he was ‘unhappy’ about being shifted out of the centres by Flanagan.
But the move has lit a fuse under Lomax and earned him a NSW Blues jumper, as he exploded into one of the form wingers in the NRL.
Before entering Blues camp on Monday, Lomax was leading the competition for total runs so far this year.
According to Fox Sports Lab, Lomax has notched up 224 runs bettering NSW teammate and three-time premiership winning winger Brian To’o by 22 runs.
Lomax is fourth for average run metres per game (163m), and sits only behind Penrith’s Brian To’o (188m), Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz (172m) and Newcastle’s Greg Marzhew (168m) – all who are career wingers.
He is touching the ball just under 27 times per game and only halves pairing Ben Hunt (54) and Kyle Flanagan (49) are averaging more possessions for the Dragons in 2024.
At centre in 2023, Lomax only averaged 124 metres and was making 15 runs per game compared to 20 runs on the wing in 2024.
Lomax is also promoting the ball more than last year and has already tripled his offloads from just six for the entire season at centre in 2023.
In 20 games at centre last year, Lomax had 43 tackle busts but already has 35 to his name this season after 11 matches.
The 24-year old insists it has little to do with the number of his back and more to do with a desire to compete.
“I’ve just always prided myself on being a footy player that can just compete on everything and chases the ball, wherever it is … left, right side of the field.
“My teammates (at the Dragons) that I’ll keep compete for them, and I’ll compete for my teammates here at the Blues.”
Asked if he now considered himself a winger, after earning a Blues debut in that position, Lomax showed no hesitation in his response.
“Absolutely,” Lomax said.
“I’ll play wherever. I’m just a footy player that just loves to compete on everything. I just playing footy and I enjoy winning.”
It’s an answer that no doubt will leave Dragons fans with more questions over his impending exit at the club.
But Lomax insisted the decision to join the Eels for the next four years was a personal one and that after seven seasons at the Dragons there are no ill-feelings towards the club.
He was also quick to shutdown suggestions his relationship with Flanagan is strained.
“Of course everything is sweet with Flanno (Flanagan), he’s my coach. I respect everything that he’s doing. He’s so passionate and he’s moving the club in the right direction,” Lomax said.
“I’ve played a bit over 100 games now at the club, I’ll always be super grateful to the Dragons and what they’ve done for me. I debuted there, played juniors there and I love the club.
Axed Eels coach Brad Arthur played a crucial role in landing Lomax’s signature.
Lomax told this masthead Arthur’s sacking won’t change his decision to join the Eels next year.
NSW coach Michael Maguire, the man who handed Lomax his Blues debut, is a front runner to replace Arthur at the western Sydney powerhouse club.
Lomax would like to link up with Maguire at the Eels, too.
“How good,” Lomax said.
“Of course I’d back him, I think Madge has shown he knows how to get success. He doesn’t get the Origin gig if for no reason. He’s won a competition and coached people at the highest level.”
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Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Why Zac Lomax has Dragons coach Shane Flanagan to thank for NSW Blues debut
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