News is starting to filter out, that surprises me to be honest.
I want to start by saying I was a Zac Lomax fan, and thought he was providing a lot from the back. I didn't enjoy his mistake rate but I was living with it, anyway here is an interesting summary of a news article, It centres on a conversation involving Cronk, Roach and Pitt. Sounds like more behind the scenes then I thought and gives indications why Ryles let go an Australian representative so quickly.
Real reason Parramatta coach cut Zac Lomax loose
The Eels’ decision to cut ties with Zac Lomax has been hailed as a masterstroke as details emerge about why Parramatta’s coach axed him.
Cooper Cronk has praised Parramatta’s decision to part ways with NSW winger Zac Lomax as another strong move from coach Jason Ryles aimed at resetting the club’s “culture”.
Not allowing Lomax to play out the 2026 season has been lauded as a strong move from Ryles.
I reckon Jason Ryles has shown a lot of maturity here,” Tigers great Steve Roach said.
You’ve got to tip your cap to Jason Ryles,” Cronk concurred.I feel like this is another call from Jason Ryles. He’s like, ‘Well Zac, if you want to leave, if you’re not buying into what we’re doing, see you later’.
From what we know of Zac Lomax, he beats to the sound of his own drum and he would probably back himself to play LIV Golf, just as he would back himself to play in R360.”
Roach said, I just wonder sometimes how much these guys actually love the game.
Pitt said : That's what i'm saying, I think Zac Lomax will do whatever he chooses. He could start boxing, that’s the kind of guy he is.”
Cronk added: “And maybe that’s the type of guy Jason Ryles doesn’t want.
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Looks like we are going strong on Culture and the type of motivated player to wear Blue and Gold is being re defined by Ryles. If indications are true, it's something a lot of us have been calling for , for a long time.
Replies
Bluey, This was from a long podcast (Episode Two, NRL podcast 19/11). I was actually going to post it yesterday as it has Cronk's general views on Parra including Pezet which I think are pretty spot on. I am a Lomax fan too, mate, but I'm not sure the club had many other options that were wise.
I am strongly of the view that losing Lomax is a disaster.
I have qualified the situation by implying there must be something we do not know?
With all the discussions taking place, especially along the lines of what Bluey said I came out and suggested that Lomax could be a lone wolf type character which creates such views.
Now let's accept that but Parra has had a number obtuse personalities over the years and in a district like ours, I think we need to live with them, so what. I am not going to enter into a debate over all those different styles and characters, two of our greatest in Price and Grothe had things they said and done, that probably would not quite pass the culture set at various stages, albeit more post career.
I'm all for the character and culture but people living in glass houses, Cronk and Roach being prime examples are too easily recognised as experts. I would not piss on Roach as an expert and Cronk's departure from Stor m to Roosters was a orchestrated piece of shit.
Rugby League is not a game played by gentleman, truesms are they are closer to thugs in many cases
Throwing the baby out with the bathwater seems to be a common trait with lots of thinkers in our ranks.
Parramatta is a better football side with Lomax in it and I don't care if he is a lone wolf. If he can find, hunt and kill on command I would prefer him on my side rather than against me.
Yeah well he's gone and you're still blabbering on.
You can't prove the contract amount that Lomax signed on for, and it was stated he was on 800 at the dragons. Common sense says only a fool would think he'd sign here for 650. .
If he was on 800 to 850 here, im sure you wouldn't be so uptight about Ryles cutting him loose.
A "master stroke" and "the type of guy Jason Ryles doesn't want". Maybe Lomax is very replaceable, even to the point of being unwanted, and the club isn't at fault at all in how this has been handled.