Why the first call a new Parramatta coach must make should be to Zac Lomax
Zac Lomax has every right to be feeling confused and have more than an element of regret over his decision to quit St George Illawarra, writes DAVID RICCIO.
Opinion
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Parramatta’s appointment of a new head coach has never been more paramount.
Just ask Zac Lomax.
The Eels are expected to conclude their process to find a coach this weekend, bringing an end to their profiling of leading candidates Jason Ryles, Josh Hannay, Dean Young and Trent Barrett.
The next step will be to strike a deal this week before commencing a new chapter at Parramatta.
One of the first phone calls that the new Eels coach – most likely between Ryles and Hannay – must make is to Lomax.
Lomax has every right to be feeling confused and walking around with an element of regret over his decision to quit St George-Illawarra.
Everything about the move no longer makes sense.
Let’s start with the reason he begged the Dragons for a release last April.
Although he has never said it publicly – and neither has he denied it – it’s widely assumed Lomax wasn’t keen on Dragons coach Shane Flanagan’s decision to move him to the wing in round one this year.
The footballer that Brad Fittler calls “The Chosen One” saw himself as a centre.
The entire rugby league world has watched what has happened ever since, Test coach Mal Meninga included.
If Meninga is picking on form, he would have Lomax pulling on the green and gold for Australia at the end of this season.
Lomax is well on track to being named the Dragons Player of The Year – the first winger at the club to do so since superstar Brett Morris in 2012.
Lomax was within 10 points of the Dally M medal when voting went behind closed doors last month.
He’s scored 11 tries in 13 games so far and in an incredible feat, achieved a club record 32 points in 80 minutes against the Wests Tigers in round 14.
Consider that achievement when you factor in the many wonderful pointscoring players that have pulled on the Red V since the joint venture’s first season in 1999, including Jamie Soward, Gareth Widdop, Mark Riddell and Matt Cooper.
Then there was his performance on the wing for NSW in front of 90,084 fans at the MCG last Wednesday night.
By halftime of the Blues emphatic win over Queensland, Lomax had etched his name into the history books with the equal third most points (18) in a match behind Ryan Girdler 32 (game three, 2000) and Nathan Cleary 24 (game two, 2022).
Remember, this was just his second Origin game.
Out on the sideline, the Temora-born talent has been playing with a renewed attitude and level of intensity that is more lethal than what he was ever able to display consistently at centre.
The wing position has simplified his role and his mindset, no better example of which, is the decline in that hail mary flick pass.
Is there a better kick pressure player in the game?
Consider his effort plays to scream down field, launch his 94kg frame up over the opposition fullback and pull back the footy for his side. They are efforts that change games.
He has moments not made for the highlights reel too.
Go back to the 24th minute of Origin II at the MCG.
When with one boot pointed over the touch line, he caught the Maroons kick-off on the full to gift the Blues a penalty on halfway and the only invitation they needed to score two minutes later through Brian To’o.
22-0 nil, game over.
The irony of all this is that Lomax signed with the Eels at a time when he felt they were the club that could best offer him the chance to play centre.
Former Eels coach Brad Arthur was key to the decision, but now he’s gone. So key, Lomax was one of the first to call Arthur the day that he was sacked.
Over a steak at a barbecue, Arthur may have suggested to Lomax that he would be given first crack at centre, but no coach can make positional promises.
There was never a gold-plated guarantee the Eels centre position in 2025 would be his.
It’s why in between passing the pepper and salt, Arthur also raised the prospect of Lomax playing fullback.
Given what has since unfolded, including the Eels running last on the ladder for the first time since 2018, it would take a brave Ryles, Hannay, Young or Barrett to move Lomax from the wing.
Then there’s the money.
It’s been reported that Lomax signed a four-year deal with the Eels for less than what he had sitting on the table for 2025 with the Dragons.
It’s been written that Lomax was set to earn $850,000 in 2025 and $875,000 in 2026 at the Dragons, but has taken a significant pay cut to join the Parramatta side for around $650,000 per year.
By comparison, fellow centre-winger Valentine Holmes earns around $875,000 a season at the Cowboys.
Interestingly, the Dragons are yet to spend Lomax’s money.
It all doesn’t add up.
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