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.
-----------------
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
I think it was on TCT comment section that someone realised Ryles never spoke about Lomax when it came to leadership, he said it was a collective but would rave about JAC, Moses, Paulo etc for their individual leadership. I mean a good observation but we also saw Lomax addressing the squad before a match too.
Ryles also said DB did it for the team and always "put his best foot forward" for the team.
I am a DB fan but there were occasions when DB did not put in and Ryles in not recognising this show's he is human.i.e leadership is recognised in numerous ways, as your suggestion reflects LB.
Leadership in terms of on field commitment was never in doubt for the time Lomax was with Parra IMO.
These type of comments remind me to the review meeting in "Notting Hill" where the group is trying to justify why Hugh Grant's character should not persue "Julie Roberts" before she left Britain.
I want to see who we replace him with.
Im with JRs call though if this is what he wants then it shall come to be.
But make no mistake that's one hell of a hole to fill much like the DB at 6 hole.
Hes going for guys who want to play for the badge ok that'll get us so far but in the end talent matters.
Agree! As much as I liked Lomax he definitely seemed to be losing interest in the game especially during and after the Origin series. He's basically accomplished all in League except for a Premiership which he might have got if he stayed with Parra. I think Ryles has done the correct thing. No good having a player in the team whose heart and passion isn't there. Always another player to take his place. I think Lomax has made the wrong decision
I thought he looked frustrated actually. Like he's trying too hard and it's not really coming off for him. I think he wants to be a player who controls the game, but I don't believe his skills are quite there to be that type of player. You certainly can't do that from the wing in any event. Good luck to him, but I don't know where this lands him now. I hope for his sake he has made the right decision. Parra will move on, as it always has done.
Love the input HOE and very well said. Pops your spot on with a lot of what your suggesting, and Coryn nails it as well.
I was oblivious to Lomax beating to his own drum, oblivious to the suggestion he wasn't a team first guy.
There are points made about putting in and other players such as Price and Grothe etc etc having culture issues, living in glass houses type of things, but one thing stands out, it dosnt matter if you've been in trouble or have had issues living in western Sydney, it's glaringly becoming very obvious that Ryles wants players that crave to wear Blue and Gold. Want, to be at this club to win, win for fans and win for team mates and win for each other. Over and Over again Ryles is making that call with each and every player. Picking up Addo Carr as he was desperate to stay relevant in the NRL and trusted Ryles vision, Picking up Walker who was desperate to return to Sydney and base himself here. Two great examples of the Ryles way.
Its actually very very refreshing, and the good that comes from a culture, where blokes are striving for exactly the same thing for the right reasons for each other, that desperately want to be there turns into winning games, winning comps. This sort of mantra leads to Eliteness and Dynasties. The morale that comes on top of that can bode very well for our future and future recruitment.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next