Zac Lomax

[Dragons_#1]

It means nothing, how many other top tier players are allowed to negotiate with other clubs, they basically all end up staying, Luai being the exception to that rule. The point being what club is going to stump up $800k and who are they willing to offer in return. Flanno will make sure the club doesn't get ripped off.

He is a free agent. His contract for 2025:2026 has been torn up! He is leaving, whether he gets 800k or not, isn’t the Dragons problem.

 

[St Tangles]

Not sure exactly how to feel about this, and I guess it may change if we use that money to land someone elite... but, at the moment I'm honestly saddened by the news. Ostensibly a local junior, with loads of talent and was starting to show real leadership qualities since about mid last year when Griffin was sacked (which continued with his powerful form on the wing this year). It's a shame imo. Oh well..

Was about to post something similar.
At the moment I'm abit gutted but that could change if we land a decent replacement or 2.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Dragons announce departure of Zac Lomax at season's end

The St George Illawarra Dragons have reached an agreement with Zac Lomax and his management for his departure from the club at the conclusion of the current season.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[maestro1]

This has Roosters written all over it. Normally I would say that Lomax won't go anywhere as no other clubs will stump up the 800K ??? for him. However, the Roosters will find a TPA and/or an after retirement gig. If anyone can make that happen, Uncle Nick can.

 

[steerlerbab]

Ok we will lose Zac but we may get Turuva and if reports are true we will be able to outbid Penrith. Then there is Allan, maybe Ramsey and a host of youngsters that are coming true like Tamale.

The club had overpaid Zac. 700k if zerotackle side is correct. It is only this year that he is playing like a 700k player.

 

[56to66]

Great news, Flanno can bring in two players for 400k each that will perform just as good!

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

i must admit i really didnt like the handsy stuff Lomax was doing to K Flanno on the video page 82 on this thread (just above)

Kyle was not appreciating but knew he was a little trapped

Lomax is very very immature for his age

just weirdo dominating bullshit

 

[Parko1310]

You would have to think the club is very confident/has already sewn up a deal for a good replacement or two. If they aren't confident in doing so/haven't done it yet, this is unbelievably dumb

 

[Ruby Roundhouse]

we need to straight swap a fantastic prop!

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Agree PArko but maybe I havent been reading the tea leaves

Flano might want Zac gooooone

I think this is a chess game that Flano has nailed !!!...........not often a player will relinquish the final two years prior to signing with another club.

Dragons article today seems to support he is gone end of 2024 with no contract for 2025 2026:

"While Lomax will fulfill his contractual obligations with the Dragons for the 2024 season, his contracted years for 2025 and 2026 will be terminated with no financial contribution to be made by the club in these years, allowing him the freedom to explore opportunities with other clubs effective immediately"

That gives great certainty for our sal cap 2025

It signals to the market

and if we have some pieces of the puzzle ready to go it is geniius

and or we have a stack of time to get it right

plus Zac has to play out of his skin while negotiating

if it is true we can land a rep Rugby player for not sal cap........well that is next level if we think he could be equal to Zac if not better.........that frees up a stack of cash $$$

I mean lets be honest..............Zac is slow for a winger..........he is doing some areas very very well right now........but shift it right and it aint good night !

 

[RedVee]

You would have to think the club is very confident/has already sewn up a deal for a good replacement or two. If they aren't confident in doing so/haven't done it yet, this is unbelievably dumb

Or we really have the shits with Zac

 

[Illusion]

This has Roosters written all over it. Normally I would say that Lomax won't go anywhere as no other clubs will stump up the 800K ??? for him. However, the Roosters will find a TPA and/or an after retirement gig. If anyone can make that happen, Uncle Nick can.

Totally agree , third party deals .........

 

[Slippery Morris]

Sad news but glad it is an agreement by the club from 2025 unless they get someone of equal value in return this year. What a huge disappointment considering the club has had guys like Cooper, Nighty and Gasnier all stay on after being chased by other clubs stay loyal. Sua' is basically begging to stay longer and not a junior and Zac asking to leave.

Flanno is a smart operator though and surely has someone lined up for them to agree to this.

If Zac plays his cards right he will end up a rooster and not an Eel. He has more chance of winning a comp at the Roosters than Eels that is for sure if that is what he wants.

 

[Parko1310]

Sad news but glad it is an agreement by the club from 2025 unless they get someone of equal value in return this year. What a huge disappointment considering the club has had guys like Cooper, Nighty and Gasnier all stay on after being chased by other clubs stay loyal. Sua' is basically begging to stay longer and not a junior and Zac asking to leave.

Flanno is a smart operator though and surely has someone lined up for them to agree to this.

If Zac plays his cards right he will end up a rooster and not an Eel. He has more chance of winning a comp at the Roosters than Eels that is for sure if that is what he wants.

I have never thought and still don't think the Roosters are interested. He will most likely end up at the Eels, the deal will be done already. Eels will likely wait for things to cool down before announcing it so as to pretend they haven't been breaching the anti-tampering laws. On the premiership thing, Lomax's ego will probably be telling him he'll be the sole reason Parramatta break their huge premiership drought and he'll be a hero

 

[Captain Apollo]

This has Roosters written all over it. Normally I would say that Lomax won't go anywhere as no other clubs will stump up the 800K ??? for him. However, the Roosters will find a TPA and/or an after retirement gig. If anyone can make that happen, Uncle Nick can.

Mate I'd be incredibly surprised if it happened. When it comes to signing players, my club leaks like a sieve to the media, and not a peep have I seen/read/heard saying my club are looking to sign him.

 

[Phantom V]

My two cents;
I hate losing a local junior but what’s the point in keeping him if he’s not happy and wants out? It’s only going to be to the detriment of the team is it not? We’ve already had the fiasco of our captain wanting out and I don’t want to go through that again. All in or PISS OFF!!
If Zac was at another club and we signed him for $800 a year, we’d all be scratching our heads as he’s just not worth that coin IMO. That’s Crighton, May money.
Also, I imagine his manager has already lined something up otherwise why asked for a release up to six times according to media reports.
Zac’s been playing out of his skin since moving to the wing but by no means is he irreplaceable. This will be just another piece of the puzzle in our transition to a much better looking NRL team.

 

[thebigredv]

The key is that no one signs him to much later in the year because as soon as he gets a deal elsewhere you watch his form magically drop off. Worst kind of player.
We can spend 800000 for better value/ needs elsewhere. It’s a matter of if anyone is willing to sign for us. This is mostly dependent on whether we can stay competitive on the field as money is not the only thing players want anymore.

So long Zac. Thanks for serving us as an average player for so long.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

"Disgruntled Dragons star Zac Lomax will depart the club at the end of the season after being granted an early release from his contract believed to be worth up to $800,000 a year."

Has everyone noticed the recent change last few articles re Lomax and the $800k.

It went from $3mill for 6 years 12months ago. To $700k pre season. Then to $800k pa. To now "believed to be worth $800k pa.

I reckon our club has had a real go at the media on this. The media is deliberately creating havoc on this for the Dragons brand with nothing substantiated and now they are protecting themselves by changing their language.

Lomax to meet with rival club TODAY as details of Dragons’ swap deal demands revealed

Lomax to meet with rival club TODAY as details of Dragons’ swap deal demands revealed

www.foxsports.com.au

Lomax on $800k for 2024 when he was only on $3m for 6 years (ie $500k pa)..............the worst mathematics ever done by the media................and only possible if we pre paid in 2024 because we had so much cap to use still. Which is likely.

It shows to me there is no way in hell Lomax in on $800k pa for 2025 and 2026..........i mean what player on $800k pa in their rightmind tears up a contract for 2025 and 2026 with no signature as yet at a new club. That would mean he was only on $200k pa for 2023, 2022, 2021.........no truck'n way and it is absolute egg on the face for all media trolling $800k pa..........and not giving the context that he is back to $500k pa or less in 2025 and 2026!!!!!!

We have pre paid him for sure in 2024 and i reckon that would have pissed Flano off massively knowing that Lomax is trying to double dip for 2025 and 2026 to get more $

We also probably have no recourse on 2024 extra payment. Im guessing it would have been agreed to my Zac and his management and we wanted it to happen to use our cap space.

I reckon Flano is now saying..............."zac you wanted the $800k and a sneaky plan B back door exit.............play like a f**king $800k footballer in 2024 and get us into the top8 dickhead. Play on the wing and not FB or Centre. And if you try and play handsy with Kyle again I will drop you NSW cup and play you as a prop you soft handed merkin"

"How them apples you snake" !!!!!!!

 

[KogarahWarrior]

Look if Zac wants to go and has no intention of staying, why keep him? Just makes our morale even more shit. Also, if it's true that he's on 800k, this really is a chess move by Flanno - there are plenty of more impactful players out there on less money than Zac, and we have so many talented, and actually FAST outside backs coming through with potentially the same level of skill as Zac. That being said, I really do like Zac as a player and I love that he puts in effort week in week out and doesn't shy away from the tough stuff. Definitely a talented athlete, but it seems that St George Illawarra isn't the place for him. I wish him well though.

 

[Wolfgang90]

He's playing great football. Not that I have any inside goss or anything but I feel he may well have a change of heart if the team wins games

Great timing