Lomax reportedly not sold on wing swap—and Eels ready to pounce if things get worse

Disgruntled Dragon Zac Lomax is reportedly unhappy with Shane Flanagan’s offseason decision to name him on the wing instead of playing him at fullback over Tyrell Sloan or even just in his preferred centre role.

The St George Illawarra star’s discontent, which was first reported by the Daily Telegraph, has potentially eeked the door open for other NRL clubs in need of a strike weapon.

The biggest interested party is the Parramatta Eels, who The Sporting Base understands have already begun making plans behind the scenes should Lomax take things further and ask for an early release. Right now the 24-year-old back is being paid around $800,000 a season through the end of 2026 to play for the Dragons.

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The Telegraph has also suggested the Roosters may make a play for the centre-turned-winger who was once tipped to play State of Origin for New South Wales, especially with Daniel Tupou retiring and Joseph Suaalii and Joseph Manu heading to rugby.

While it does make sense, The Sporting Base has been told the tricolours have made no formal moves yet and are more likely to bide their time rather than rush to the trading block if anything changes soon.

There are some question marks around the whole developing saga too. Lomax has reportedly whinged to those quite close to him about the move which will see him play wing for the first time since 2020, but publicly he declared: “That’s [the wing] where Flanno thinks is best for the team at the moment so we run with it.

“I think the best option for the team at the moment is for me [playing on the] wing.”

In this TSB writer’s eyes, the whole thing could quite easily be a headline-maker from NewsCorp.

Only time will tell if the Eels get their chance to pounce on the boom back or if Flanagan folds and brings Lomax back to the centres quite quickly. The swap for the 24-year-old to fullback is also still on the cards should Sloan struggle.

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Last year, Lomax was in the headlines after he underperformed under now-axed coach Anthony Griffin, who moved him from the right side of the field to the left and then later dropped him.