Coming into the 2020 season, Zac Lomax was meant to be the first-choice fullback for the Dragons, and after signing a five-year contract extension in the off-season, no one was arguing.
But after a 0-4 start to the 2020 season, all bets were off.
Lomax only made the single start at fullback and a second start on the wing, then in a very surprising show of vision from Paul McGregor, Lomax was moved to right centre – Mark Gasnier’s old position.
In the following seven rounds not only has Lomax demonstrated enough skill to make the centre position his own but his sparkling form has caught the notice of NSW Origin selectors.
Lomax is an accomplished goal kicker and still only 20. He is tall at 190 centimetres and a solid 95 kilos of muscle and pace.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
The thing that caught the most attention was Lomax’s Gasnier-type flick pass to winger Mikaele Ravalawa that put the winger over in the corner in the game against Manly. It was scintillating and a demonstration of Lomax’s evolving skill set.
If Matt Cooper and Mark Gasnier had a love child, he’d look like Zac Lomax!
Centre Tim Lafai is going to be the next mid-season departure from the Dragons as he heads back to the Dogs.
And another Dragons centre off contract in 2020 is Euan Aitken. My mail is that despite a few strong performances, the Dragons will not be offering Aitken a contract for 2021.
The metrics say he’s undersized at 182 centimetres tall and 93 kilos but most telling is that he has a poor passing game, he can’t put a winger away, and he generally steps inside then takes the tackle.
Jordan Pereira has one try this year compared to Ravalawa’s six. There are a number of high calibre juniors coming through including the Feagai twins and Aitken is seen as an impediment for them coming through.
Brayden Wiliame was signed from the Super League as a two-year rental to cover until the end of 2021 to allow the youth to come through.
While the 2020 season has been bleak at times for the Dragons, there is definitely causes for hope.
The real question is whether Paul McGregor is the man to bring it all together? Personally, I say so.
But the next super coach isn’t so easy to find. Craig Fitzgibbon and Shane Flanagan are not available until 2022. Can the Dragons wait that long?
My argument of bringing back Nathan Brown wasn’t very popular. If not Brown, then who in 2021?
Andrew
Roar Pro
Zac Lomax’s star continues to rise every week. After his stunning two try performance against the Sharks in round 11 surely NSW selectors must be paying attention. He’s also developing a nice combination with his winger Ravalawa who’s now sitting on 6 try’s for season. Lomax’s form has been a bright light in a otherwise largely dim season for the Dragons.
Mixfijoe
Roar Rookie
Im 100% he will play origin, possibly as early as this year with
David
Guest
I agree Paul. No more ex Dragons coaches. Culture is the key word for the Dragons, and an outside coach can change that.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Nobody rewards centres anymore. It's almost a dead position. Robo and maybe one to two others are the few who know how to use centres. Shouldn't be a surprise that chooks have both their centres voted as best in the comp, they both get appropriate opportunities, unlike many others.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
No hope, NSW are two busy sqeezing in 5/8's and fullbacks into the centres under Fittler. Fittler does not reward centres.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Shame the Dragons don’t have the Morris twins in the stable to help young guys like Lomax and Aitken.
Tony
Roar Guru
No one could do that
danwain
Roar Rookie
I would love to see Ford get some more minutes, he has has glimpses of quality every time he has come on
Andrew
Roar Pro
Problem for Aitken is metrics. Isn’t that tall for a premium centre at 182cm, average speed & no passing game. But a very hard runner of the ball. His frame & playing style makes him a better lock off the bench. The Feagai twins are 186cm closer to 100kgs & fast. Plus just 19 yrs old.
Julian King
Roar Guru
Players don't get signed because they're good goal kickers. Offered a 5 year contract after 17 first grade games. That's what the trust is about. A lot of good juniors fail to match their hype. It's a gamble. I like Zac, don't get me wrong. It may well pay off and I hope it does. Time will tell. But the Dragons could find themselves in a position after 2 years with a player who hasn't kicked on. Look at Aitken. Once touted as an Origin bolter, the club is now happy to be rid of him. Imagine if he still had 3 years to run on his contract.
Andrew
Roar Pro
No one is a bigger critic of McGregor on here than me but to his credit Lomax has really developed well the past 2 years. Mary was a great centre himself back in the day. Plus Lomax signing a 5yr deal really showed a lot of faith. I like Aitken but he just doesn’t have the size or skill set to cut it. There are much better prospects coming through. I also thought Jackson Ford had a crack last night. Unless we pick up a premium second rower I’d like Jackson to have first chance at Frizell’s spot next year
Garry Lynch
Guest
He is a junior. What is the trust all about? He is only 20. He has shown he is an excellent goal kicker. He is only 20. Please!
Julian King
Roar Guru
Brad Fittler has always had a high opinion of him, but glimpses aside, he really hasn't shown that much in his career thus far. The Dragons took him on trust when they signed him for 5 years. He's a centre in my opinion. Has promise, but the hype has always troubled me.
TJ
Guest
Not ready for Origin just yet but would be shocked if he doesn't play for the Blues at some stage in his career. He has been one of the few players who I think has played consistently well for the Dragons since the resumption. First time Mary has allowed him to settle into a position in first grade and he's playing the best footy of his career so far. Who would've thought...
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
He's a promising young player, no doubt about that but I think it's premature to talk about him as a potential State of Origin player. I have seen a few players get talked about as SOO over the years, even Aitken was talked about a few years ago. Overall Lomax's game is pretty good, but I have seen a few defensive misreads (which to be fair were more when he was on the wing). In any case its important to focus on the whole game, not just the highlights. Incidentally, at least two of Rava's tries this year have come from Dufty cut-out passes, you can't put them all down to Lomax.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Last sentence Paul is one of my issues. Scorched earth theory, will he leave too much of a mess to clean up? This is a big issue for the owners to consider, already James and Frizell are out, Saab and Sailor want out.
Paul
Roar Guru
"The thing that caught the most attention was Lomax’s Gasnier-type flick pass to winger Mikaele Ravalawa " The thing that caught my eye was the Gasnier-like shimmy, that stood up his opposite number which then allowed him to get on the outside to throw the pass. Lomax is playing well but if he's in the running for a centre spot with the Blues this year, NSW has some issues in that position. He's still very raw but shows promise. I agree MacGregor is not the guy to lead this side and have said so for many months. I want the Club to stop hiring ex-Dragons players and look for someone who can bring a different perspective based on time at other Clubs. Brown's recent times at Newcastle were not great and the cupboards pretty bare for other choices. All I can hope id Mary doesn't drive away too many talented players form the Dragons to other Clubs till he's replaced.
max power
Guest
can someone explain how someone signed Tim Lafai?
danwain
Roar Rookie
Aitken has been really good the past few weeks, but we have seen this before and then watched his form fall off a cliff. I'm sure he will pick up a contract elsewhere and under the right coach would thrive. As for Lomax, he needs to put on a bit more size before we start talking about rep honours. He is very skillfull but lacks a bit of power. Still very young though, so plenty of time to add that to his game.