St George Illawarra has rejected a request from Zac Lomax’s management and the Parramatta Eels to open discussions for a deal that could result in an immediate release from the Dragons.
The
Herald can reveal the Eels recently contacted the Dragons to enquire about Lomax’s contract status, with St George Illawarra saying the 24-year-old did not have their blessing to explore his options given he still has another two years to run on his deal.
A Dragons official confirmed the club had rejected an approach for Lomax to seek options at rival clubs but declined to comment when asked about the outside back’s future.
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking under the condition of anonymity to speak freely told the
Herald that Lomax is open to an immediate switch to Parramatta.
The Eels are keen to lure Lomax to the club immediately to partner Will Pensini in the centres, but will have to abide by the NRL’s anti-tampering rules.
The Dragons made a formal complaint to the NRL last year regarding rival clubs circling contracted halfback and skipper Ben Hunt.
It prompted the NRL to investigate Brisbane following allegations they had attempted to entice him out of his deal with the Dragons in light of his desire to return home to Queensland.
The Eels, who confirmed their interest in Lomax if he was free to negotiate with, declined to comment when contacted by the
Herald on Tuesday morning but were adamant the club had not breached the NRL rules.
The Eels are aware that Lomax isn’t seeing eye to eye with new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, largely over the coach’s decision to move him from his preferred centre position to the wing.
Lomax, who is on a deal worth close to $800,000 per season, was superb for the Dragons playing on the wing in their round one victory over the Gold Coast Titans.
Flanagan
told this masthead on Sunday that Lomax would not be allowed to leave in 2024 but was open to a discussion on the final two years of his deal.
The Dragons told Lomax’s management that they wanted to wait until after round four before they discuss where he will play his football in 2025 and beyond.
“He’s going nowhere,” Flanagan said two days ago. “We’ve told his management that we won’t be letting him go this year. If there’s a conversation to be had, we will have that in the future and it will be about next year.”
In an interview with
2GB’s Continuous Call Teamon Sunday, Flanagan confirmed Lomax was disgruntled.
“He’s upset that he’s not playing centre,” Flanagan said. “I need to pick the best 17 players. He’s definitely in there. He’s fine.
“He’d like to play centre … he will have a bit of a different role and he’s quite happy to go out there and do the best for the Dragons.”
Parramatta recently contacted the Dragons to enquire about Lomax’s contract status, with St George Illawarra saying the 24-year-old did not have their blessing to explore his options.
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