Everyone keeps banging on about whether Zac Lomax should stay playing on the wing for Parramatta next season instead of returning to the centres.
I’ll throw up a left-field option.
What’s wrong with new Eels coach Jason Ryles giving Lomax a crack at fullback, especially if Clint Gutherson ends up leaving for the Dragons?
I’m not saying Lomax could be the new Jarryd Hayne, but without a doubt he has the ability to become one of the game’s genuine superstars.
And a switch to fullback could well and truly set Lomax on the path to doing just that.
Lomax has always been a tremendous potential, but he is finally starting to realise just how good he is.
He is just so athletic, powerful and skilful, and both of those tries he scored in Australia’s gritty 22-10 win over the Kiwis were proof of that.
Who knows if he’d have the engine to cut it as an NRL No.1 on a week-to-week basis.
But it would be madness for Ryles not to consider the switch if the Eels are going to make a serious return to being an NRL contender in 2025.
Of course, the Eels have signed the exciting former Panther Isaiah Iongi to be the long-term replacement for Gutherson at fullback.
But the more Lomax gets his hands on the ball the more dangerous he is.
It’s also worth pointing out that Lomax just turned 25 and his best years are still ahead of him.
He has plenty of time to learn a new position and he has all the ability to make it a success.
Replies
Lomax has shown he's magical as a winger. And some, are not content with that they want to experiment and switch him here or there. Can anyone seriously contend he'd be a better centre or full-back than on the wing?
Your right Richard, it ain't broke, so nothing to fix.
Circumstance may just happen that he finds himself at full back and he goes so well that we cannot move him. If that happen's let the circumstances dictate through the "inertia" of the team. Winger is a very important role these days and should not be underestimated. All that said Lomax has made it pretty clear he sees himself as a centre. Lets not upset him at this stage!
Given Iongi is a specialist fullback and Lomax a specialist centre/wing, I think Ryles will stick to those positions. Also centre has been a big problem for this club, it makes sense Lomax to centre but with a license to roam.
I have said this before, Lomax will be our best centre since Jamie Lyon.... and before that, me of course!! 😝
Wingers can be any two of these guys: Tago, Simmonson, Russell or even young Papalii.
It sounds like Lomax himself is committed to playing center, but it certainly would be an attractive possibility to have the best player in your backline in the most critical position. It has a pretty high ceiling if it works, but I would avoid moving him around too much as that's where Dragons got it wrong. Keep him happy I say.
He could be even better at fullback. Id definitely give him a run in the preseason.
Should be competition for every position.
Pauly Crawley with a left field eh
Lomax trained pre season at Fullback before Flanno`s last minute decison to switch to Wing , hence the controversy and reported dummy spits , so of course hes going to be considered for a switch to FB at some point should any injuries arise .
Not so left field .
He needs to be playing Centre and tie up one side of the feild in defence, where we have previously had both sides shredded by most opponents.
He'll be centre .
Winger is just lol
Has to be centre.
The team I want
1. Iongi
2. JAC
3. Lomax
4. Penisini
5. Vunivalu
6. Brown
7. Moses
8. Paulo
9. Brailey
10. Thompson
11. Tualagi
12. Williams
13. Hopgood
14. Gutho
15. Matterson
16. Ofahengaue
17. Cartwright
VS
The team we will probably have.
1. Iongi
2. Tago
3. Lomax
4. Penisini
5. Russell
6. Brown
7. Moses
8. Paulo
9. Hands
10. Lane
11. Tualagi
12. Cartwright
13. Hopgood
14. Gutho
15. Matterson
16. Ofahengaue
17. Williams
Couple signings to add soon
You know or you hope?
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