Over the last two weeks while I’ve been watching the footy I’ve been reminded of the career of Nick Kyrgios.
He is an incredibly talented tennis player. People across the world love watching him play tennis; not just for his ability but for his fiery and competitive nature on the court.
But Kyrgios has had a complicated career. The bottom line of it appears to be that while Kyrgios is extremely good at tennis, he doesn’t really love playing tennis all the time.
Or perhaps he once loved tennis, but the gruelling schedule of being a pro has slowly chipped away his love for his favourite game.
There is speculation about his imminent retirement, which Kyrgios has quashed, but it’s fair to say that his career has not been as straightforward, or even successful, as some might have imagined given how talented he is.
For me, Kyrgios has always raised the questions as to whether an athlete should continue to do something or play in a particular position just because they are good at it?
That’s the link to rugby league and its especially relevant for two players in the headlines right now.
This week it was announced Zac Lomax signed a four-year deal with the Eels from the 2025 season.
I assume it is for Lomax to play in the centres. Parramatta sorely need some speed and impact in that position so it’s a welcome signing. But is centre Lomax’s best position, even though that is the position that he wants to play? Perhaps not.
In recent weeks, new St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has shifted Lomax to the wing, against his wishes.
What’s curious though is that Lomax has not kicked up his feet and refused to play. In fact, Lomax has been playing better than ever. Even when the deal with Parramatta was close to being inked, he had one of his best games of the season against the Wests Tigers.
I’ve been surprised and impressed by the way Lomax has handled being shifted to the wing.
Nick Kyrgios playing at a tournament in the United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
I would argue that Lomax has been in career-best form since moving to the wing and it’s for that reason that I’m puzzled about the move to Parramatta (even though as an Eels fan I am delighted).
His team has started winning, is finally looking like its building toward something and Lomax is making the highlight reel every week.
Even though Lomax wants to play centre, should he stick at it on the wing given how much it improves his teams fortune?
My view is yes, because everything looks a lot shinier and is made easier when a team is winning. The Dragons’ fortunes improve when Lomax plays on the wing.
But who knows what happens when he moves to the Eels next year?
The same could be said about the situation at the South Sydney Rabbitohs with Latrell Mitchell.
There is clearly a lot going on at Souths at the moment and there is not one party to blame.
But Mitchell has decided in recent seasons that he wants to play fullback.
Mitchell is an incredible player that could have impact in almost any position you put him in. But he was one of the best centres in the world. I still think he could be one of the best centres in the world again.
He is an exceptional player, but I would certainly not rank him as one of the best fullbacks in a competition boasting the likes of Reece Walsh, James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards.
Last weekend, due to Mitchell’s suspension, the Bunnies decided to blood youngster Jye Gray at fullback.
I liked what I saw of Gray. He still has a lot to learn but showed plenty of speed and enthusiasm in the Bunnies loss to the Sharks.
Should Jason Demetriou still be at Souths when Mitchell is due to return back from suspension, what does he do?
Does he continue to play Mitchell at his preferred position of fullback, drop Gray back to reserves and hope for the best?
Again, my view is no. This is a team sport and part of playing a team sport is doing what is best for the team. If Gray’s positive form continues it gives Demetriou the opportunity to play Gray at fullback and put Mitchell in a position where he can have more impact.
I may have started with a parallel to Nick Kyrgios, but I’m not exactly comparing apples with oranges.
Tennis is an individual sport, where players make their own decisions about what is best for their own careers. Rugby league is a little bit different and in some cases, perhaps like the ones above, the team needs to come before the needs of the individual players.
James 7
Roar Rookie
I played for Oatley rugby. I remember the oval being underwater but the game still went on. Stuck in a collapsed scrum with my head buried in a pool of water I thought I was to be the first player ever to drown on a rugby field. Good memories
mushi
Roar Guru
To be honest I had him at hello
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I dont think they are playing much better - only beaten the lesser teams and not in any great style. Lomax for me is suited to the wing, but may still be a great centre. I feel he may have been overplaying in a losing team - trying too much ad-lib
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I think you might have him there
andrew
Roar Rookie
It is what it is with Lomax. Saints are on the rise whereas I think Parra’s heading south under Arthur.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Interesting article, Mary. But I think maybe with Lomax you are kinda comparing apples to oranges. Or maybe fresh oranges to dehydrated and reconstituted oranges (to stretch the metaphor). No doubt he is playing exponentially better as a winger under Flanagan's coaching than he was as a centre under Hook's coaching. But the entire team is playing better - and they haven't all been moved to the wing. It's possible that perhaps Lomax would have hit the same heights in his preferred position - because he's under a better coach with a better system. I sincerely doubt that if Hook had moved Lomax to the wing it would have had the same result.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Mitch Aubusson's brother, James, played hooker for the Roosters and was arguably the better of the siblings. But he wanted the farm life instead, so he retired in his early twenties. If Mitchell comes to the conclusion that he wants to do the same thing, good on him!
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Thankyou Mary, well considered and well written as always. I feel that if Lattell is moved to centre his attitude towards the move will reveal whether he is truly a team guy or not. At the moment I suspect the Fox propaganda machine is generating fantasy content about Latrell for financial gain. Latrell in real life may be nothing like media puppet Latrell. On Lomax, it is conundrum, and he's gone from reserve grade standard to representative standard on the eve of his departure, how bluddy typical!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
It’s obvious his team mates find him divisive by watching him and listening to Gould? Not sure how either indicate anything about how his team mates feel…
FourwingSweepa
Roar Rookie
Oatley rugby club might want him back
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Can we call him a whinger?
scrum
Roar Rookie
Just watch him play, it’s obvious. He is highly paid but does not turn up. Has to be bad if Gould is bagging him for lack of effort. Gould is big into promoting the game via the superstars.
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
"Does he (Demetriou) continue to play Mitchell at his preferred position of fullback, drop Gray back to reserves and hope for the best?" If the coach wants to change attitudes at South, then going back to the old line-up is not the way to do it. He should put Latrell in the centres, and if Latrell doesn't like it, then JD should drop him to NSW Cup until he is prepared to put the team before his personal desires.
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
Mary,being an Eels supporter,a good example of doing things for the team was the great Eels utility player from the 80's,Paul Taylor.Played fullback,half back,2nd row and,I think,hooker.Did a great job in all of them,even though, with his physique,had no right to be a 2nd rower!
James 7
Roar Rookie
Funny fellow Lomax really can't work him out.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I feel sports people like Kyrios and Latrell know they are better than the average pro, and sit in that space of being “good but not great.” Making a nice living by doing “just enough.”
the outsider
Roar Rookie
Jamie Lyon???
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Val Holmes and Josh Dugan wanted to play fullback but it wasn't their best spot. Plenty of halves end up as hooker and it gives them a career they wouldn't have had if got their preference.
mushi
Roar Guru
So you read that and got that players should do what is right for them personally but the front office needs to decide if that will help them win. I read that lomax should stick to the wing regardless of his preference and that latrell in choosing a team sport should chose to do what she believes is best for the team. So no. Her article does not say individuals should be able to prioritise themselves and it’s up to coaches and management to value the team commitment. The theme of the article is players should subjugate their wants because it’s a team sport. Even the title, which I acknowledge she didn’t come up with but you can’t write the team player article and then complain about the team decision, that they NEED to put suppress their wants for the teams
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Grey has played one NRL game . Give the kid a chance. He showed me enough to persist with him.