Zac Lomax appears to be on the outer at St George Illawarra with reports suggesting that he will ask for an immediate release from his contract to move elsewhere within the next week.
According to reports in the Daily Telegraph, the club and the player will sit down for crunch talks before the start of Round 4, in line with a schedule discussed before the start of the 2024 season.
The 24-year-old has been among the best at the club since new coach Shane Flanagan shifted him to the wing at the start of the year, but is known to be unhappy playing there.
Parramatta would happily take on his contract, estimated to be worth $800,000 a year, to solve their problems in the outside backs, and could take over his pay package immediately.
It is thought that the Dragons would countenance as swap for gun rookie Blaize Talagi, but the Eels would be reticent to let one of their brightest talents leave.
Gus says depleted Broncos ‘vulnerable’
Brisbane could be struggling to keep pace with the leading teams as they head into the State of Origin period if they struggle in the next six weeks without injured stars Reece Walsh and Payne Haas.
The Broncos are likely to have a heavy representative burden through the middle of the year and after a 1-2 start, last year’s grand finalists are looking vulnerable, according to former premiership-winning coach Phil Gould.
“Out of the team that got through to the grand final last year, you find yourself with five or six different people … yet you’re being treated like the grand finalists and one of the top picks to win the premiership,” he said on his Six Tackles With Gus podcast.
“It’s not your team, and having that many players out of your team is problematic for them. They are vulnerable at the moment.
“When you get a cluster of them and they’re going to be out for an extended period, who are you exposing?
“Broncos have got a great development system and they’re able to hold players back longer and get them more grounding in the Queensland Cup than a lot of other clubs.
“They might be able to get over this and field a competitive side, but if that were to happen to some of the other teams … that’s why we get 50, 60 or 70-point scorelines.”
Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds has been passed fit to return from a knee injury against the Cowboys in Brisbane on Friday night but the skipper has been hampered by the problem in his two appearances this year.
Brisbane legend Petero Civoniceva has challenged the forward pack to step up in the absence of Haas and do him proud.
“It is a notable loss when you have someone like Payne out of the forward pack but I think it is an exciting opportunity for everyone to step up and share the workload,” Civoniceva told AAP.
“It is a huge workload at that, but it is a chance for guys like Fletcher Baker and some of our young forwards to press their claims. It is a long season ahead. Injuries will happen but as a forward pack it is about sharing the load and I have no doubt they will do that.”
Second-rower Brendan Piakura will miss the Cowboys showdown with an ankle injury and will be replaced by Jaiyden Hunt. Veteran Corey Oates comes on to the bench in a utility role in place of prop Martin Taupau who has been dropped.
Katoa gets new deal at Dolphins
Impressive Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa wants to keep his jersey long-term and that desire has been rewarded by the club with a three-year contract extension.
The 20-year-old was left out of the NRL side for round one but returned in round two with a masterclass to inspire a 38-0 win over St George Illawarra.
He will play No.7 away at Gold Coast on Saturday and has been earmarked by the Dolphins to lead them into the future.
Katoa was already on contract until the end of 2025 but chief executive Terry Reader said the Dolphins wrapped up the Tonga international to underline what a vital cog he is in the club’s future.
“Isaiya is a wonderful player and a wonderful young man,” Reader told AAP.
“For a young guy who played first grade out of school, nothing fazes him. He is a gentleman and a key part of the future of the Dolphins.”
Isaiya Katoa passes. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
After leading the side to their win over the Dragons, Katoa said he was keen to keep his jersey after edging out Sean O’Sullivan for the position.
“Being a competitor, I’d be silly to say no,” Katoa said.
“It is awesome we have the competition in the halves. We get along and, whoever gets picked, there is no bad blood between us.
“It was a massive step (against the Dragons) but I’m not going to dwell on it and give myself a clap.
“I am going back to the drawing board to focus on what works for me and what I can get better at.
“It is not about cheering myself on. One win does nothing for us.”
Katoa played 20 NRL matches in his rookie season last year, mostly at No.6, but his game management skills are highly regarded by his teammates as a halfback.
“The boys love him. When he is in the team there is more control and we can play off him,” fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow said.
“His kicking game is spot-on as well.”
Coach Wayne Bennett has told his players to “perform or perish” this year and Katoa has embraced the message.
“He has been pretty ruthless with us in making sure that we are performing,” Katoa said.
“If we are not he is not going to reward us, but he didn’t put any pressure on me.
“He just wanted me to take control of the team, get my defence right and kick well.”
Schneider a student of the game
Liam Martin can see similarities between Sean O’Sullivan, Jack Cogger and Brad Schneider. And it’s not just because Schneider will follow in the footsteps of the others and stand next to him on Penrith’s right edge against the Sydney Roosters.
“They’re all students of the game,” Martin said. “They’re usually the hardest working players, like Sean and Coggs definitely were. And Schneider, he’s no different.”
Schneider will on Thursday night begin his own journey in the most coveted role for fringe first-grade halfback in the NRL when he deputises for an injured Nathan Cleary.
Two years ago it was O’Sullivan who signed up as Penrith’s back-up half.
He played 11 games and by the time the Panthers won the 2022 premiership he was signed to be the Dolphins’ inaugural halfback.
Cogger’s rise was even more significant.
Signed to replace O’Sullivan as the back-up halfback, he played one of the most important roles in last year’s grand-final comeback.
And if it hadn’t been for a big-money contract he signed with Newcastle, it’s likely he would have been the man Penrith viewed as their next No.6 next year.
“I think it’s maybe something to do with the culture,” Martin continued.
“When they come here they fully immerse themselves.
“Like you look at all of them.I think he’ll be fine and probably be the exact same as them and go out and kill it.”
Schneider has trod a similar path to Cogger.
The Adelaide-born playmaker got his chance in the NRL at Canberra three years ago, but like Cogger has spent a brief period plying his trade in the Super League.
The 23-year-old’s 12 games in England last year have given him valuable experience as a dominant half, ready to guide Penrith’s attack when required this year.
“I just just want him to play his own game and fit into our system,” coach Ivan Cleary said.
“That’s why he came here. He’s followed a couple of other halves that have done well in that in that role in the last couple years.”
Nathan Cleary’s absence on Thursday night will likely stretch into next week against Manly.
But it is not the only issue the three-time defending premiers are dealing with.
James Fisher-Harris will be back in the country for Thursday’s match after time in New Zealand for personal reasons, but has not recovered from a shoulder injury.
Scott Sorensen is also expected to miss four weeks with a knee injury, in an early-season hurdle for the Panthers.
Ex-captains bounce back from demotion
North Queensland duo Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend could have kicked stones after being relieved of the captaincy, but their response has been crucial to the club’s unbeaten start to the season.
“They have both been great,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten told AAP ahead of the clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
“I know they were shocked. I know they were disappointed. They both accepted the decision and have shown great humility ever since by putting the team first and what is best for our club.
“Their attitude towards their teammates and their profession with the way they play each week has been first class. I am thankful and admire them for it. They have both been really good for everyone.”
Jason Taumalolo. (Photo by Andy Jackson/Getty Images)
Payten elected to elevate young gun five-eighth Tom Dearden and lock Reuben Cotter as co-captains after the side missed the finals last year, following a preliminary final finish in 2022.
Half Townsend and Cowboys’ 2015 premiership-winning forward Taumalolo are both closer to the end rather than beginning of their careers and the Cowboys decided to avoid a leadership vacuum and regenerate the team now. The response of the veterans has heartened Payten.
Townsend, a 2016 title winner with Cronulla, kicked the crucial golden point field goal in round two in the 21-20 win over Newcastle and has provided excellent game management.
“He is just calm under pressure and really clear with his communication in the way he directs our side around the field,” Payten said.
“Everyone feels more confident when he is around. In that second half (against the Knights) he spoke really well at half-time and then nothing fazed him.
“I wouldn’t say he had a great first half but he came out and put it to bed and played really well in that second half. He set up Jeremiah Nanai for a (late) try with a kick and then landed the field goal.
“Chad has kept his game pretty simple and is professional with the way he looks after his body. He puts the team first and it is good to see him playing well.”
Starting prop Taumalolo has been managed due to a knee injury that he has shown great resilience to play with.
Payten has limited his minutes but they have been mighty in their impact. The coach is also taking a long-term view.
“My first thoughts are always around what is best for his knee and what is happening over the next week or two,” Payten said.
“I know Jase is frustrated because the warrior in him wants to play (more minutes).
“He also understands what it is all about.
“We will see the benefits of that down the track whether it is a month’s time or two month’s time.”
with AAP
langparker
Roar Rookie
?
danwain
Roar Rookie
Oh well mate, at least we have Jack Bird!
KenW
Roar Rookie
I've only seen very rubbery reports about his salary, seems to vary significantly depending on who's doing the reporting. Perhaps you're right about the back-ended contract and the plan for fullback but it seems like an unnecessarily complex explanation. If his contract just had a simple clause that accounted for salary cap inflation then it would be around the 750-800k number now being reported. If they had a 5 year plan to make him a star fullback they didn't put much work into the idea. I think he got 1 game in 2020 and then they put Dufty back there again even though it was clear Mary didn't see the Duft as a long-termer. It's a rock and a hard place situation for Flanagan, if he sincerely believes this is the best team balance - and it's pretty clear he works well as a winger - then he can't move everyone around just because Lomax is having a tantrum. I think it’s one of situations where an exit will be good for all parties involved, tend to think he’ll flourish within a better structure, and the dragons can free up some space in the cap. You're likely right here, if Lomax gets his release and goes back to centre elsewhere he'll be hyper-motivated to show it's the right move. The trouble is the Dragons side, they already have space in the cap - freeing up more provides them no benefit.
danwain
Roar Rookie
It was a back ended contract from what I understand though, and now he is on fullback money as the original plan was that he would become the long term fullback. I don't disagree that he hasn't developed enough to warrant the move but how much is down to the environment around him? He has been shuttled about in the centres in the last two seasons, and now has been put on the wing. I can understand his frustration that the plan he was sold has not come to be, and he is now being used as a battering ram winger. Not only that, but it seems as though the club are putting faith in Bird above Lomax, which doesn't pass the eye test I think it's one of situations where an exit will be good for all parties involved, tend to think he'll flourish within a better structure, and the dragons can free up some space in the cap.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Who knows? The trouble as I've said above with Lomax that the Dragons don't have any obvious reason to make a deal. They've already paid half his salary, they don't have any use of additional cap space, unless there's someone of at least equal value that they can get immediately they have zero motive to sign a release.
KenW
Roar Rookie
The thing is they don't need the cap space, they have that and no-one to spend on. Unspent cap money is dead money. Unless Parra puts up someone they want, or they can secure a release of someone else imminently, the Dragons have zero reason to make a deal. There's the possibility that Lomax throws his toys out of the cot but that would just get him playing out the year in NSW Cup. That's not going to help his value next year, or whenever he does eventually get out of this contract. To be fair to him, every indication is that he's still giving everything on the field at this point.
KenW
Roar Rookie
The contemporary reports were that his contract 4 years ago was for 550k a year. That was good money for a young centre but not extraordinary considering he was being talked about as a likely rep star of the near future. While a good argument could be made that he hasn’t developed enough to warrant that deal, it was not ‘fullback money’.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Didn’t think the dolphins would be thinking short term like that, they’ve still got Wallace, Bromwich etc as experienced depth forwards who aren’t in their 17 & young guys Keeley & Teague in the Q Cup. Broncs need someone experienced until Willison & Te Kura mature into NRL forwards, I reckon Willison is the goods but he just turned 20 so they aren’t throwing him to the wolves yet. I just reckon they’re undersized and inexperienced since Flegler, Capewell & Palasia left. Baker is the only forward recruit with experience & mostly he was a bench player. You’ve got to make salary cap sacrifices but injuries like Haas & Piakura then increase the impact. I don’t see Molo as a saviour, just think he would probably play a role until the kids get into the grind, not sure Pangai junior is the answer because he promised a lot and delivered little when there before.
Tony
Roar Guru
Lomax pulls his finger out and actually has a go on the field for the first time this decade at the same time as he's looking to break his contract and find a shiny new club. What a coincidence.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yeah, but he didn't jack up as much with the last coach. Maybe this one expects results??
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, but he's had two years to raise that issue? why all of a sudden? Maybe the new coach actually expects the stars to work hard??
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
It's the Dolphins who have cap space. Maybe it's them.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
The last coach didn't think Lomax was doing a good enough job in the centres, and the new coach agrees. And the ridiculous thing is that he's doing well in a different position. If I signed him for another club and one of my wingers went down, I'd want to put him there. But the fact that Lomax would likely throw another fit means I wouldn't want to even sign him. If he is so desperate to play right centre, he should get a captain-coach gig in group 6 with the other ex-NRL guys who self-sabotaged their careers.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I’d take Talagi as a bonus. I’d rather see Lomax leave sooner rather than later.
danwain
Roar Rookie
The dragons signed him on fullback money years ago on the proviso they move him to fullback, in reality they haven't played him in his favoured position in over two years. Blame isn't solely on the dragons but they have not covered themselves in roses here.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Is the rumour about an unnamed ex-origin dragons prop (eg: Francis Molo) also leaving in April for a Qld club just a made up story for headlines or is there a move to the broncos or titans a possibility? Broncs have said they’ve got about $300k for the right player & everyone assumed Pangai jnr. Titans just lost Tino but not sure they’ve got spare cap space. Molo is rumoured to be on a $600k contract, and 6 months of the contract will have been paid by April. I’d take Molo this year at the broncs, they’re a bit undersized at the moment with Haas missing & origin due to take Carrigan, that’s their two meter-eaters.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Toodle-oo, Zac. Talagi would be nice, but I'd settle for the cap space, along with some witches hats and a bag of balls from Parra. :rugby:
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
starting to get bored with Flicka. you were paid good coin for years, better than what you delivered. Dragons deserve better than your whining.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
The Cowbies only have themselves to beat in this one. If they go in thinking it's already won, they'll get slaughtered though. I believe these days there's enough maturity and footy smarts to not fall into that trap. Looking forward to this instalment of the Queensland derby, they're normally great games played with a lot of heart and good spirits.
Nat
Roar Guru
It is the one team I don’t mind losing too but No… :happy: