Dragons 09
Juniors
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I actually see a lot of upside to Ravalawa BUT he is a newcomer to the game ffrom Union, he needs to learn abit more in CC grade, spend a year or so,he is still learning, Lomax is different he knows the game just needs to play in one position and play 80minutes week in week out not having the pressure if he drops a ball or misses a tackle he gets dropped, thats the point that Robinson is making with Matt Ikuvalu, he knows he can handle it , he knows he will make a mistake or two but wont drop him, so taking that pressure off him, he is playing good footy, back to Ravalawa if he was at the roosters, he wouldnt get a game in the NRL until he was ready, we through Ravalawa in the deep end because we had no one else really..
Lomax gained on Tedesco to round him up in defence. He is quick enough and big enough to make a good fullback.
Too complicated for Millward. Walker would have to come knocking on his door and begging to come to SGI. Hasler could teach Aitken a thing or two and maybe even turn him into a good centre.
Sorry Frank but Walker can pi55 off.
If Mary is still in charge, Lomax might not want us.Joey Manu was dropped ahead of the 2017 finals series because he had flaws in his game. He was 21 at the time.
And even halfway through last season many Roosters fans weren't convinced until BOOM... it all just clicked and Manu was imo the player of the finals series.
He then went on to give Latrell a bath in the one off Test and many good judges would now consider him the 2nd best centre in the game.
And yet he only found his groove in first grade at 21/22. That was also with the tutelage of an all time great coach in Robbo.
Lomax in contrast is still only 19. And he has Mary to learn from. Gross.
So keep that in mind.
Though with Latrell to 5/8th next year we'll happily take Lomax off your hands if you don't want him
Has he not been named at left centre?Dragons 2019: Gifted one not burdened by scrutiny
Dragons Den
IN HIS STRIDE: Dragons young-gun Zac Lomax isn't putting any extra pressure on himself. Picture: NRL Photos
WHEN someone as credentialed as NSW coach Brad Fittler dubs you 'the gifted one' it inevitably brings pressure, even if you're as laid back as Dragons youngster Zac Lomax.
The Temora product has long been touted for big things having starred for NSW and Australia in the junior ranks. The raps continued when he was thrust into the finals cauldron just three games into his NRL career last season.
It saw him head into 2019 with far greater expectations placed on his shoulders. It's what comes from such high praise but the 19-year-old insists he's taking it in his stride.
"That kind of [praise] should just give you confidence," Lomax said.
"The last thing you want to do as a young bloke is go out there and put more pressure on yourself. You've just got to believe in yourself and know that you're there for a reason.
"You've got to back your preparation knowing all the hard work you've put in over the years.
"It's definitely good to have comments like that put on you and have a coaching staff that believes in you. You've just got to back yourself because you wouldn't be there if the coaching staff or your teammates didn't believe in you."
It's been a much tougher grind in his second top-grade stint, with the Dragons 4-7 and currently 13th on the ladder after 12 rounds.
He might not be feeling heightened scrutiny on the personal front, but his side is certainly under the microscope heading into Monday's clash with the Bulldogs.
"There's obviously been a fair bit of talk about our team not performing as well as we can," Lomax said.
"Every team in the NRL are unbelievable. There's so many good players in the NRL these days and every team on their day is so hard to beat so you've got to be on top of your game week after week.
"You've got to be doing all your preparation, everything that's involved behind the scenes because sometimes on paper we should go out there and win but there's so many times where, if you not producing your best performance, teams just put you away.
"We've got to be better at putting 80-minute performances together, every minute every play.
"We got to get away for a week there and think that definitely does a lot for the team physically and mentally as well. We know what we've got to work on and I'm confident we can get a job done this week."
Lomax got his first crack in his preferred No. 1 jumper in the Dragons last start against Cronulla, but will shift back to right centre this week following an injury to Tim Lafai. It's one of several positional shifts he's made this season, but he says it's role he's happy to fill.
"It's a little bit frustrating but at the same time I'm not disappointed," he said.
"I can definitely learn a lot out of the performance we had the other week and to get a fair few carries in my legs at fullback was a big learning curve. I can take a lot from that game.
"I'm confident going back to centre I can still do a job there for the team and that's what we're expected to do. It's a bit tough knowing you've got a few key guys out but we're professional athletes and we're expected to a job for the team."
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...one-not-feeling-burdened-by-scrutiny/?cs=3713
Xerri does not have to take the field with coach instructions such as:
Dragons 2019: Gifted one not burdened by scrutiny
Dragons Den
IN HIS STRIDE: Dragons young-gun Zac Lomax isn't putting any extra pressure on himself. Picture: NRL Photos
WHEN someone as credentialed as NSW coach Brad Fittler dubs you 'the gifted one' it inevitably brings pressure, even if you're as laid back as Dragons youngster Zac Lomax.
The Temora product has long been touted for big things having starred for NSW and Australia in the junior ranks. The raps continued when he was thrust into the finals cauldron just three games into his NRL career last season.
It saw him head into 2019 with far greater expectations placed on his shoulders. It's what comes from such high praise but the 19-year-old insists he's taking it in his stride.
"That kind of [praise] should just give you confidence," Lomax said.
"The last thing you want to do as a young bloke is go out there and put more pressure on yourself. You've just got to believe in yourself and know that you're there for a reason.
"You've got to back your preparation knowing all the hard work you've put in over the years.
"It's definitely good to have comments like that put on you and have a coaching staff that believes in you. You've just got to back yourself because you wouldn't be there if the coaching staff or your teammates didn't believe in you."
It's been a much tougher grind in his second top-grade stint, with the Dragons 4-7 and currently 13th on the ladder after 12 rounds.
He might not be feeling heightened scrutiny on the personal front, but his side is certainly under the microscope heading into Monday's clash with the Bulldogs.
"There's obviously been a fair bit of talk about our team not performing as well as we can," Lomax said.
"Every team in the NRL are unbelievable. There's so many good players in the NRL these days and every team on their day is so hard to beat so you've got to be on top of your game week after week.
"You've got to be doing all your preparation, everything that's involved behind the scenes because sometimes on paper we should go out there and win but there's so many times where, if you not producing your best performance, teams just put you away.
"We've got to be better at putting 80-minute performances together, every minute every play.
"We got to get away for a week there and think that definitely does a lot for the team physically and mentally as well. We know what we've got to work on and I'm confident we can get a job done this week."
Lomax got his first crack in his preferred No. 1 jumper in the Dragons last start against Cronulla, but will shift back to right centre this week following an injury to Tim Lafai. It's one of several positional shifts he's made this season, but he says it's role he's happy to fill.
"It's a little bit frustrating but at the same time I'm not disappointed," he said.
"I can definitely learn a lot out of the performance we had the other week and to get a fair few carries in my legs at fullback was a big learning curve. I can take a lot from that game.
"I'm confident going back to centre I can still do a job there for the team and that's what we're expected to do. It's a bit tough knowing you've got a few key guys out but we're professional athletes and we're expected to a job for the team."
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...one-not-feeling-burdened-by-scrutiny/?cs=3713
All in the name of protecting Aitken's selection at right centre.
