Dragons gun Zac Lomax sensationally axed in team shake-up

Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has dropped a bomb with strike centre Zac Lomax axed as part of a team shake-up.

Zac Lomax. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

The Dragons have sensationally axed strike centre Zac Lomax.

The selection bombshell comes after the club’s disastrous performance in their loss to the Bulldogs in Round 9.

Fox Sports’ James Hooper reports Lomax is fuming about being dropped for the blockbuster Magic Round clash against the Wests Tigers.

Lomax has reportedly “blown up” after being given the bad news on Tuesday.

The Daily Telegraph reports Lomax will be replaced by Max Feagai at left centre when the team is announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Lomax will reportedly be given a week off and will not suit up in reserve grade this weekend.

Lomax has paid the price for costly goalkicking misses where his failed conversion attempts have come back to bite the club in close defeats.

Fox Sports reports Lomax is contracted through to the end of the 2025 season, but his future is now clouded.

It was only in 2020 that Lomax was added to an extended NSW State of Origin squad while in red hot form. That suddenly seems a long time ago.

Zac Lomaxcan’t buy a goal. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

More recently, Lomax was in October listed as one of just three players — alongside Ben Hunt and Michael Molo — to turn up to the club’s annual awards night.

He was also reportedly involved in a fiery training session scuffle with Talatau Amone in December.

It is another turbulent bump in the road for the club which has stumbled from one problem to the next in 2023.

The club’s loss to the Bulldogs came at the worst possible time for coach Anthony Griffin with speculation swirling he will soon be tapped on the shoulder.

Zac Lomax of the Dragons and his team look dejected again. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

Since the club’s round 5 thrashing of the Dolphins, the Dragons have now lost four straight match by less than a try.

Facing the media again after the Bulldogs game, Ben Hunt was again questioned over his support of Griffin, particularly after four straight losses.

“It was raised before a ball had even been kicked this season,” Hunt said, as the Dragons were tipped by some to take the wooden spoon.

But Griffin stepped in to deflect the question.

“I don’t think you need him to answer anything like that,” he said. “He’s answered that enough.”

The question has been asked constantly over the season, particularly after Griffin was forced to reapply for his job.

It was reported last month Maroons coach Billy Slater turned down an approach from the club.