Zac Lomax

[Matty Bhoy]

He was terrible once BA went. Hopefully, he improves or we're getting the Spoon this time.

He certainly wasn’t at his best but I can accept that he’s only ever played firsts under one coach and one system. I look for him to come on in leaps and bounds next season under Ryles. He’s definitely got the attributes to be an excellent first grader.

He’s explosive and athletic. He’s let down by lapses in concentration for mine. Doing those little 1%ers correctly, like watching the ball all the way into the hands. Stuff that Ryles mentioned in that first interview about needing to get right.

I know we aren’t winning the comp next season; but it’s been a while since I’ve genuinely felt so upbeat and looked forward to a new season beginning. Bring it on.

 

[Obscene Assassin]

He certainly wasn’t at his best but I can accept that he’s only ever played firsts under one coach and one system. I look for him to come on in leaps and bounds next season under Ryles. He’s definitely got the attributes to be an excellent first grader.

He’s explosive and athletic. He’s let down by lapses in concentration for mine. Doing those little 1%ers correctly, like watching the ball all the way into the hands. Stuff that Ryles mentioned in that first interview about needing to get right.

I know we aren’t winning the comp next season; but it’s been a while since I’ve genuinely felt so upbeat and looked forward to a new season beginning. Bring it on.

One thing John Muggleton said in his TCT interview was that Lomax is a smart defender. If he's on the outside of Will hopefully that assures Will defensively.

 

[emjaycee]

He was terrible once BA went. Hopefully, he improves or we're getting the Spoon this time.

I don't think our getting the spoon or not relies solely on Penisini's performance mate.

 

[King-Gutho94]

He certainly wasn’t at his best but I can accept that he’s only ever played firsts under one coach and one system. I look for him to come on in leaps and bounds next season under Ryles. He’s definitely got the attributes to be an excellent first grader.

He’s explosive and athletic. He’s let down by lapses in concentration for mine. Doing those little 1%ers correctly, like watching the ball all the way into the hands. Stuff that Ryles mentioned in that first interview about needing to get right.

I know we aren’t winning the comp next season; but it’s been a while since I’ve genuinely felt so upbeat and looked forward to a new season beginning. Bring it on.

Lapses in concentration can be down to simply not being that extra 5-10% fit.

I am not saying Penisini wasn't fit.

But if @Stevie info is correct and our pre-season training last year really tapered off it explains a lot for the poor 2nd halves and lapses of concentration players had could have been down to slightly lack of fitness levels compared to the opposition.

We all know premierships are won off the back of tough/hard pre-seasons. Its hard to get those levels up to where everyone else is in the comp in-season as its mostly recovery.

So if the work wasn't done between November-February then good luck catching up.

I read something yesterday Ivan Cleary has told his players he never wants to see any of them with there hands on there hips at any stage during a scrum or break in play.

Hopefully thats the benchmark Ryles wants to set with our players.

 

[Incorrect]

Lapses in concentration can be down to simply not being that extra 5-10% fit.

I am not saying Penisini wasn't fit.

But if @Stevie info is correct and our pre-season training last year really tapered off it explains a lot for the poor 2nd halves and lapses of concentration players had could have been down to slightly lack of fitness levels compared to the opposition.

We all know premierships are won off the back of tough/hard pre-seasons. Its hard to get those levels up to where everyone else is in the comp in-season as its mostly recovery.

So if the work wasn't done between November-February then good luck catching up.

I read something yesterday Ivan Cleary has told his players he never wants to see any of them with there hands on there hips at any stage during a scrum or break in play.

Hopefully thats the benchmark Ryles wants to set with our players.

He is a serial offender in giving up on the chase when the opposition make a break or pick up a loose ball. That's down to attitude, maybe fitness.... Both need to be addressed in the off season...

 

[Zoso]

He certainly wasn’t at his best but I can accept that he’s only ever played firsts under one coach and one system. I look for him to come on in leaps and bounds next season under Ryles. He’s definitely got the attributes to be an excellent first grader.

He’s explosive and athletic. He’s let down by lapses in concentration for mine. Doing those little 1%ers correctly, like watching the ball all the way into the hands. Stuff that Ryles mentioned in that first interview about needing to get right.

I know we aren’t winning the comp next season; but it’s been a while since I’ve genuinely felt so upbeat and looked forward to a new season beginning. Bring it on.

Totally agree. He’s still only young and has some improvement in him. Probably lost a bit of confidence this year. I’m keen to watch him next year.

 

[King-Gutho94]

He is a serial offender in giving up on the chase when the opposition make a break or pick up a loose ball. That's down to attitude, maybe fitness.... Both need to be addressed in the off season...

Yep i reckon his development has been on the slide for 18 months.

He is one player that desperately needs a new voice/system urgently especially as he has only had BA as his coach all the way back from his Rouse Hill Rhinos days.

 

[hindy111]

I rate Pensini. Bit lazy at times but powerful as a bull. He will be fine.

 

[the phantom menace]

One thing John Muggleton said in his TCT interview was that Lomax is a smart defender. If he's on the outside of Will hopefully that assures Will defensively.

Or even if Lomax is on the inside of Will, he can teach Will something about his potential future wing play - in both defense and attack.

 

[the phantom menace]

Penisini was woeful this season. Showed absolutely no ticker, and none of his reputed "leadership" qualities when needed. I'd go as far to say he didn't show any self-leadership either, and even declined in measures of his future potential.

Make or break/be dumped season coming up for Will imo, whatever position Ryles selects him in or relegates him to.

 

[Eelementary]

I rate Pensini. Bit lazy at times but powerful as a bull. He will be fine.

Got some skill, too - has a nice offload on him.

Not super quick, but we need to use him to his strengths - one-on-one against his opposition centre, he will normally break the tackle.

 

[hindy111]

Penisini was woeful this season. Showed absolutely no ticker, and none of his reputed "leadership" qualities when needed. I'd go as far to say he didn't show any self-leadership either, and even declined in measures of his future potential.

Make or break/be dumped season coming up for Will imo, whatever position Ryles selects him in or relegates him to.

You don't rate Talagi or Pensini
I rate both. Maybe you're a better judge. Maybe I am.

 

[the phantom menace]

You don't rate Talagi or Pensini
I rate both. Maybe you're a better judge. Maybe I am.

It's not a competition... but you're correct. I don't see a rep-level (Origin) future for Penisini, or for Blaize (beyond his current minor nations selection).

Both are handy first graders - but imo not ones who have a mortgage on a particular starting position. Blaize is only 19, and I expect him to still be selected in NSW Cup for periods of next season.

 

[hindy111]

It's not a competition... but you're correct. I don't see a rep-level (Origin) future for Penisini, or for Blaize (beyond his current minor nations selection).

Both are handy first graders - but imo not ones who have a mortgage on a particular starting position. Blaize is only 19, and I expect him to still be selected in NSW Cup for periods of next season.

Penisini isn't origin level agree

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It's not a competition... but you're correct. I don't see a rep-level (Origin) future for Penisini, or for Blaize (beyond his current minor nations selection).

Both are handy first graders - but imo not ones who have a mortgage on a particular starting position. Blaize is only 19, and I expect him to still be selected in NSW Cup for periods of next season.

Penisini is a specialist centre, and well inside our top 17. I bet you a hundred bucks he plays most NRL games at centre next year.

 

[the phantom menace]

Penisini is a specialist centre, and well inside our top 17. I bet you a hundred bucks he plays most NRL games at centre next year.

Stop "singling me out" by replying to me, ffs .

Or for the peanut gallery... You guys should get a room, etc etc .

Sorry Pou I'm not a betting man. But on Penisini - purely because of the position he currently plays, he's either one of our best 2 centre picks or he's not in our top 17.

My take is that Ryles will try Lomax at right centre and Penisni will need to either change sides (left centre) or bump outside (right wing) to stay first choice 17... He may remain among our best paid 17, but if he's no longer preferred by Ryles in jersey 2 through 5 then he's there on "overs".

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Stop "singling me out" by replying to me, ffs .

I engage like this with everybody, not just you. But other posters have repeatedly called you out for your behaviour towards me.

Or for the peanut gallery... You guys should get a room, etc etc .

Sorry Pou I'm not a betting man. But on Penisini - purely because of the position he currently plays, he's either one of our best 2 centre picks or he's not in our top 17.

My take is that Ryles will try Lomax at right centre and Penisni will need to either change sides (left centre) or bump outside (right wing) to stay first choice 17... He may remain among our best paid 17, but if he's no longer preferred by Ryles in jersey 2 through 5 then he's there on "overs".

He might shift to left centre, but he will absolutely start at centre in our first choice 17. Behind a strong pack he has outplayed plenty of rivals, including Origin centre Bradman Best.

 

[the phantom menace]

I engage like this with everybody, not just you. But other posters have repeatedly called you out for your behaviour towards me.

Other posters maybe don't realise I engage with dump statements that stand out while I'm scrolling threads on here in the same way - since you're the only dedicated argumentative troll, there's a large sample size of your posts among those. Many other posters also call out many of your statements on here as dumb or trolling, not just me (though you may have blocked them).

He might shift to left centre, but he will absolutely start at centre in our first choice 17. Behind a strong pack he has outplayed plenty of rivals, including Origin centre Bradman Best.

Yes, I raised the prospect of Penisini needing to swap sides for Lomax at right when others were denying this as a likelihood or possibility. If Penisini's form remains poor during 2025, there might come a time when Ryles opts to try other combos. Though Lomax's rep status may save an unimproved Penisni from being dropped until after origin.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Other posters maybe don't realise I engage with dump statements that stand out while I'm scrolling threads on here in the same way - since you're the only dedicated argumentative troll, there's a large sample size of your posts among those. Many other posters also call out many of your statements on here as dumb or trolling, not just me (though you may have blocked them).

I don’t think any other posters have been called out for stalking the way you have. I would say the majority of responses to my posts are from you, and even other posters have noticed it.

Yes, I raised the prospect of Penisini needing to swap sides for Lomax at right when others were denying this as a likelihood or possibility. If Penisini's form remains poor during 2025, there might come a time when Ryles opts to try other combos. Though Lomax's rep status may save an unimproved Penisni from being dropped until after origin.

He won’t be dropped whether Lomax plays wing or centre.

 

[the phantom menace]

I don’t think any other posters have been called out for stalking the way you have.

Replying to your provocative/trolling posts in a discussion forum is stalking... ok then.

I would say the majority of responses to my posts are from you, and even other posters have noticed it.

Aren't you lucky... I guess you could say:

He won’t be dropped whether Lomax plays wing or centre.

That's right, Penisini will be dropped if he gets precious about swapping to the left side if Lomax gets picked at centre, or he'll be dropped post-Origin if his form has remained poor and Ryles doesn't want to re-sign him for 2026.