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1:47PM Monday, November 4th, 2024
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‘The best decision I could have made’: Zac Lomax opens up on Eels move, what position he wants to play and treatment of Ben Hunt
Zac Lomax has opened up on why he left the Dragons to join Parramatta, what position he wants to play next year and why Ben Hunt’s critics have missed the mark.
Martin Gabor
3 min read
November 4, 2024 - 12:29PM
NewsWire
00:48
Ferns book...
Zac Lomax has reiterated that he will be playing centre next season at the Eels, with the Kangaroos winger declaring his move from the Dragons “was the best decision I could have made” despite coming off a career year in the Red V jersey.
Lomax spent seven seasons with St George Illawarra but has joined Parramatta on a four-year deal despite having the best year of his career on the wing, with his club form earning him debuts with the Blues and Kangaroos.
He’ll join an Eels side that only avoided the wooden spoon thanks to a final round win over the Wests Tigers, with experienced heads Clint Gutherson, Maika Sivo and Reagan Campbell-Gillard all leaving for Jason Ryles’ first season in charge.
Zac Lomax left the Dragons after seven years to get out of his comfort zone. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Zac Lomax left the Dragons after seven years to get out of his comfort zone. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
“I needed a different way in my footy career, and I feel for me it was the best decision I could have made. I’m super looking forward to it,” said Lomax who is still very close to his former teammates having attended Blake Lawrie’s wedding on the weekend.
“I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I’d been there for a long time, but ultimately I wanted to win.
“I don’t feel where that team (Eels) finished this year is how they’re going to go next year. I feel that with the team and the club at Parra, we’re going to have a really successful year.”
Lomax will start pre-season training with Parramatta in the coming weeks, but he’s already chatted extensively with Ryles about his desire to return to centre.
“Everyone seems to have their opinion. I’ve only said it probably 400 times, but centre,” he replied when asked about it at Kangaroos camp in Wyong.
“Who knows? I’m thoroughly enjoying playing wing here, but at this stage, I’ll be playing number four.
“I’ve caught up with Rylesy a fair bit. It all comes around pretty quick. I’m super looking forward to it. I can’t wait. It’s going to be a good change, it’s probably been one that happened pretty quickly, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
Lomax has had a terrific start to the Pacific Championships. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images
Lomax has had a terrific start to the Pacific Championships. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The centre debate has followed Lomax all year given he’s scored a career-high 14 tries on the right wing and was a constant aerial threat for the Red V.
“I’ve been really pleased with how the season has gone,” he said.
“I just took things really personally and I wanted to back my ability. Whatever position that was in, I wanted to grab it with both hands and I wanted to play the game how I wanted to play. That was wherever the ball was.
“I just wanted to be around the footy and compete on everything. I started pre-season on November 1 last year and it’s been a really long year.
“There have been a heap of different coaches that like games a different way, but I thought that I wanted to just back myself and play the game that I wanted to play. I feel like I was able to do that.”
Lomax isn’t the only high-profile Dragons star on the move, with former skipper Ben Hunt granted an immediate release that has led to some people questioning his character.
But that hasn’t gone down well with Lomax.
Ben Hunt won’t be at the Dragons next year after the club granted him an immediate release. Picture: NRL Photos
Ben Hunt won’t be at the Dragons next year after the club granted him an immediate release. Picture: NRL Photos
“If anyone is going to go at Benny Hunt and his character, he would be so far off,” he said.
“He’s the ultimate professional and goes about his business so well. He’s probably going to be the second person to play 400 games. He’s the best dad I’ve seen – he’s got two beautiful boys – so for him, he just wants to go and win.
“He obviously doesn’t feel at the moment that he’s going to be able to do that at the Dragons. For him and his family to leave the club is a good decision for him. I back his decision. I’ve done the exact same thing, so we’re both on the same page.”
While Lomax is leaving the Dragons for the Eels, there’s every chance Parramatta skipper Clint Gutherson could be going the other way after he too was told he was free to look elsewhere.
“I wish him all the best. He’s obviously a legend of a bloke but he’s been an unbelievable player. He’s still their heart and soul,” Lomax said.
“It’s a tough one but I’m sure wherever he goes, he’s just one of the best competitors you’ll see. Wherever he goes, he’s going to have a major influence on that team.
“It would obviously be ideal to have him there, absolutely, he’s got an impact and influence on the team and the players but the club as well. Obviously, the club’s going in a different direction at the moment and us players will buy into it as well.”
