Dissecting the Dragons-Zac Lomax decision: What it means for both parties and the Eels

Shane Flanagan and the Dragons finally have the financial artillery to launch a full-scale raid in the NRL. This is what Zac Lomax’s impending exit means for the club, the $800,000 star and the Eels.

St George Illawarra are armed and dangerous. The Dragons will have more than $3 million in salary cap space at their disposal once Zac Lomax departs at the end of the season, leaving coach Shane Flanagan with the financial artillery to launch a full-scale raid in the NRL.

Lomax is among the club’s highest earners with a pay packet of around $800,000 a season. That money will be off the club’s cap at the end of 2024, if not earlier should the club manage to get their hands on a player of “considerable standard” as part of a swap deal.

Parramatta have made their interest in Lomax well known but they appear unlikely to countenance an immediate player swap involving someone of similar standard given the club is of the belief that their premiership window is open.

However, it is understood the Eels hope to set up a meeting between Lomax and coach Brad Arthur as early as this week as they look to ensure the Dragons back will fit into their culture and systems.

The Sydney Roosters and Melbourne have also been linked with Lomax, although it is understood the Storm are not expected to enter the race for the Dragons junior given they have cap restrictions and are more focused on strengthening their middle forwards.

Zac Lomax. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

THE DECISION

Lomax’s camp first broached the idea of a release with Dragons hierarchy in the pre-season but the parties agreed to put talks on hold until after round four.

Once round four was out of the way, Lomax wasted no time reaffirming his desire to leave at the end of the season, if not sooner.

Lomax grew up in Temora and graduated through the Illawarra Steelers SG Ball side. At 24, he has 97 games for the Dragons and flashed immense potential, without cracking it for higher honours other than four appearances for the Prime Minister’s XIII.

The tipping point for his frustration appears to have come when he was told he was being moved to the wing by Flanagan, a decision that has seen him play some outstanding football and push for State of Origin honours.

The perception is that as well as he has played, Lomax isn’t happy with the move.

“By finalising this decision now, it provides both Zac and the club with clarity regarding the future, allowing us time to strategise for the upcoming seasons,” said Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb.

“This arrangement enables the Dragons to focus on refining our top 30 roster and utilising additional cap space, while Zac can pursue his future endeavours with another club.”

The Dragons reiterated that they would only consider a release this year if a player of considerable standing is offered in return. “which our head coach Shane Flanagan is comfortable with”.

They also revealed they would not contribute any money towards Lomax’s contract at another club beyond this season.

“Zac has consistently demonstrated his talent and dedication to the club, especially in the face of external noise,” Flanagan said.

“We have full confidence that he will maintain his high level of performance for the remainder of the season, benefiting all those associated with the Dragons.”

THE EELS

Parramatta head of football Mark O’Neill called Webb on Tuesday morning to reiterate the club’s interest in speaking to Lomax about a change of clubs. Webb asked O’Neill to bide his time as the club finalised a statement on Lomax’s future.

That statement dropped at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, clearing the way for Parramatta — and other NRL clubs - to commence talks the Lomax camp over next season.

The Eels are at the front of the queue and they have an appetite to move quickly. Depending on their respective schedules — the Dragons play on Friday night in Newcastle and Parramatta play on Sunday night in Canberra — the Eels will meet with on Wednesday to ensure they are aligned in their thinking.

Provided Arthur walks away from that meeting with a level of comfort that Lomax will fit in with the club’s culture, the Eels will move quickly to try to sew up a deal for next season.

That is, of course, unless Parramatta and the Dragons can agree on an immediate player swap. The expectation is that Lomax will take a slight pay cut to move clubs - there has been talk about a four-year deal worth about $2.8 million being on the mark.

The Eels are at pains to point out that Lomax isn’t being bought over the top of some of their emerging stars, chief among them teenager Blaize Talagi, who made his debut a fortnight ago.

Talagi has an option in his contract and the Eels are keen to extend his deal. Their cap is tight but they have the likes of Bailey Simonsson and Morgan Harper coming off contract which will help fund any move for Lomax.

WHAT DO THE DRAGONS NEED?

The Dragons showed their hand in revealing exactly the type of players they’d be interested in when they pursued Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake over summer.

Flanagan’s best years as a coach is when he has had a powerful middle forward to lead the way and that desire is no different now. A marquee forward will be a priority.

The other key position is halfback once Hunt leaves the club at the end of 2025. With money to spend, the Dragons will be among every conversation with the ability to go big for a halfback over the next 12-months.

Finally, and it may come as a surprise, but fullback could also be a focus for the Dragons. Remembering also, they had a crack at Connor Tracey before he signed with the Dogs.

While Tyrell Sloan has shown plenty in attack so far this year, his defence remains a work-in-progress.

The question will be how long do the Dragons wait for Sloan to progress as a defensive fullback?

Shane Flanagan is in the market for a high-profile middle forward. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

THE CHALLENGE

Zac Lomax now finds himself with a decision to make and it will be in the best interests of everyone - himself included - if he can make it as quickly as possible.

Lomax has so far shown a remarkable ability to ignore aside the outside noise over his future and get down to business - through the opening three weeks of the season, Lomax had won two coach of the week awards.

He has vaulted into State of Origin contention and begun to play the sort of consistent football that has long had him marked for higher honours.

While his start to the season has been scintillating, he will now have the added burden of contract talks clouding his mind.

The good news, as far as Lomax is concerned, is that he has been granted his wish and he can finish the season knowing that his time at the Dragons is coming to an end.

That brings with it its own form of pressure. The St George Illawarra faithful can be an unforgiving lot. Should Lomax’s form drop, there will be no sympathy from the hills at Netstrata Jubilee and WIN Stadiums.

Originally published as Dissecting the Dragons-Zac Lomax decision: What it means for both parties and the Eels