NRL 2024: Zac Lomax Discusses Eels Move and Dragons Departure

2025 NRL season officially launched | 02:44

It was 34 days between Zac Lomax’s announcement as the Eels’ 2025 marquee signing and Brad Arthur’s sacking as the club’s head coach.

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But for the former Dragons superstar, it felt like “the next day” the foundations of his fresh start and long-awaited transfer began to crumble beneath his feet.

Lomax was left disgruntled after Shane Flanagan decided he was going to shift from the centres to the wing during the 2024 pre-season.

Reports surfaced that he requested a release on multiple occasions before his contract, which concluded at the end of the 2026 season was cut short by two years.

Arthur, who had spent 11 years as Eels coach, masterminded Lomax’s switch, adding a genuine strike weapon to a backline long considered lacking in depth.

The 25-year-old signed a four-year $2.6 million dollar deal, being unveiled as a Parramatta player on April 16.

By May 20, with the Eels sitting in 14th after a 48-16 demolition at the hands of the Storm at Magic Round, Arthur was ousted from his position.

That decision left Lomax on shaky ground, wondering who he’d be playing under at his new club.

“Oh yeah, absolutely (I was nervous). I signed and then it all sort of came about, it felt like the next day… but that’s footy,” Lomax told foxsports.com.au.

“Things happen for a reason and that’s the way that it was. But it’s all happened and it’s all worked out.”

Zac Lomax at Parramatta training. Picture: InstagramSource: Instagram

Eels powerbrokers went about searching for their next head coach, with Trent Barrett, Josh Hannay, Brian Smith, Jason Ryles and Michael Cheika in the mix.

Meanwhile, Lomax was in the midst of a career-best year and his form in clubland earned him an Origin debut, playing on the wing in all three games for NSW.

He scored in the Game I loss at Accor Stadium, before crossing twice in a crucial MCG win, tallying 18 points that included a spectacular aerial catch try over Murray Taulagi.

Then in between Game II and the Suncorp Stadium decider, Eels bosses announced their new coach — Ryles, who was no stranger to Lomax.

“As soon as I found out he was the man that was going to take over, I was super pumped, I’ve been able to work a little bit with Rylesy in the junior reps,” Lomax explained.

“I played Junior Kangaroos and he was one of the coaching staff there, so it was sort of an easier transition as well.”

Lomax went on to deliver an impressive Game III performance as NSW did the unthinkable, securing the 2024 Origin series on Queensland’s home turf with a 14-4 win.

A Kangaroos debut and a Pacific Championships title followed, as well as being named the Dally M Winger of the Year — but Lomax was looking for more at clubland.

Despite having already secured his move to the Eels early in the unrest of 2024, Lomax didn’t kick stones.

Instead, his form was the one consistent factor of a turbulent Red V campaign that ended in 11th place.

“I think the thing was I just wanted to challenge myself. I just wanted to go and I just wanted to take my game to the next level,” Lomax said.

“I felt for me, it was just the time to go and do that and I felt like moving clubs was the best opportunity for myself and my family. I just wanted to go and try something new.

“I loved my time in Wollongong, I have so many friends and family still there and heaps of loved ones there, and all my mates are still there, you know?

“But I just felt for me it was time to go and test myself and put myself out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to change and wanted a change and to grow as a person and a footy player.”

Lomax’s stocks as a player have certainly increased since he signed with the Eels, and he’s enjoying his new environment after debuting for the Dragons at only 18.

“Mate, I love it. It’s unreal. I love going to train every day and the boys there, it’s an unreal environment to be a part of,” Lomax said.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my little venture there as of late and mate, it’s unreal. I just love the culture and love what Ryles is about and the club.

“I feel really confident in my game but I think for me, it’s about understanding how a new system operates.

“I’ve been in the same system for quite some time now and I just love that I’m learning everyday. Rylesy is unbelievable.

“He’s been in such successful systems and he knows what winning looks like. I’ve been like a sponge, I’ve trained as hard as I could and I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here.

“I’m learning every day, and I feel like because I’m learning it’s been so good to turn up to training and compete and just play footy.”

NRL 2024: Zac Lomax Discusses Eels Move and Dragons Departure

As for his first impressions of the new coach?

“Mate, to be fair he’s got the biggest hands you’ve ever felt in your life. He’s got abnormal thumbs… he’s got a real funky handshake, and I’m sure he will tell you that,” Lomax said.

“He’s got the biggest mitts you’ve ever seen in your life, so I remember that clear as day.”

But what’s most important is the way that Ryles has embraced Lomax, alongside the rest of the Eels squad.

“He’s just a person first, that’s what I love about him. He cares about you, and you as a person, how you’re operating, how your family is going,” Lomax explained.

“I think that’s the best thing about why he’s going to be a successful coach, because he genuinely cares from the bottom of his heart.

“He’s a family man as well, but for someone who’s been in the middle forwards his whole career and taking hit-ups for a living, he’s got a heap going on between the ears too.

“He’s very cluey, he thinks and he dissects the game to the nth degree and it’s impressive how he goes about his business.”

During his Origin and international success, Mitch Moses was a consistent presence, wearing the No.7 jersey in five from six of his representative appearances.

Lomax’s AFL-style four-pointer in Origin II came off Moses’ boot, and that combination was also a big factor in Lomax’s decision to join the Eels; as well as the opportunity to return to the centres.

“I took (the move) based on the sense where I knew that this was where I was going to be able to develop my game. I’m close with Mitch Moses, and I knew he was going to be able to help my game,” he said.

“The forward pack here as well, I thoroughly believe in all the squad. I don’t believe the success they had last year dictated too much of how they actually are as a team.

“But when I first signed, I just knew that it was the right place for me. I knew straight away.”

Lomax also sees a lot of himself in Moses. Intense characters who are focused purely on winning, but can ruffle some feathers along the way.

“He’s been unreal, he’s just super confident in his game now. He knows what he brings, he’s obviously our skipper… he’s been unbelievable for the Eels for a number of years now,” he said.

“How he played in Origin this year and for Australia, he was unbelievable. He’s got so much confidence in his game now and he backs his ability.

“But I think his leadership has gone to another level since he’s been named skipper. I just think he really cares about the team. He puts the team first.

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“But I love that Mitch is a competitor, he wants to win and I guess he’s a little bit like me. If things aren’t sort of bouncing your way or you’re (not) winning too many games, you get a bit of the s***s.

“You start to throw the toys out of the cot, but I think we just like winning and I love that we’re both going to be on the same team now.”

Moses was also incredibly keen to forge a combination with his new strike weapon.

“Lomax is coming off a really good year last year… I had a chat to him when he made the decision, he had my full support to keep going how he was going,” Moses told foxsports.com.au.

“He kept his head down and focused on what as best for his team at the time, he was their best player by far. Week in, week out he was a competitor.

“He was rewarded with an Origin jersey and a Test jersey because of how hard he worked and the attitude he had towards his club footy.

“After making a big decision, it’s pretty hard to focus like that but it’s a credit to him.”

The Eels will be desperate to return to finals football in 2025, having missed out over the past two seasons after a 2022 grand final loss to Penrith.

Clint Gutherson, Blaize Talagi, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Maika Sivo among others have left Parramatta.

But alongside Lomax, Isaiah Iongi, Dean Hawkins, Jack Williams, Josh Addo-Carr, Joash Papalii, Jordan Samrani, Kitione Kautoga and Ronald Volkman have arrived.

And Lomax believes they’re heading in the right direction.

“I think everyone just bought into exactly what the new staff have asked of us, and I think everyone’s just been jumping straight into whatever’s next,” he said.

“That’s the mentality and everyone’s soaking in as much as they can, everyone’s bouncing off each other, from the youngest lads all the way to the more senior dudes.

“It’s been really good to see… the culture has been unbelievable, since I walked in I’ve been welcomed with both arms and I feel like I’ve been able to add to the crew.

“It’s a brand new coaching staff, so it’s a real fresh feel and they’re learning off all the players too. They’re all fresh faces and fresh to the coaching scene.

“It feels vibrant, there’s always so much energy around the crew and it’s just an enjoyable place to be, I absolutely love it.”