Dragons star Zac Lomax has claimed he “never once said” he didn’t want to play on the wing, despite coach Shane Flanagan stating on Friday that he “didn’t want to play there”.
Flanagan made the decision to shift Lomax to the wing despite his preference being at centre.
Reports were rife that Lomax’s release request was down to that decision with the Blues gun moving to the Eels next year.
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Speaking to 9news Sydney from Blues camp, Lomax attempted to set the record straight on the rumours.
Shane Flanagan and Zac Lomax have both discussed the star’s move to the wing. Nine
“The funny thing is I’ve never said that I’m not a winger. I’ve never said that I don’t want to play wing. I’ve never once said that,” he said.
“I love playing footy wherever that is and that’s what I’ve always said, I’m happy to play whatever position I can play and I’ve always said that. I just want to be the best teammate that I can be for my team.”
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However, Lomax’s comments came on the same day Flanagan was asked about the 24-year-old’s form and how it’s justified his call.
“I knew his skillset suited playing on the wing and I convinced Zac that he was a winger,” he told media.
“At the start it wasn’t going to happen, it didn’t happen, we saw what happened.
“If we had that conversation now, it’d be a lot easier. A lot, lot easier. Time heals a lot of wounds and that one there has definitely proven the coach’s point.”
Flanagan added “all the credit” should go to Lomax for his form on the wing before revealing more context around the back and forth he had with the Blues star.
“He’s the one that didn’t want to play there but he bit down on his mouthguard and played really well so I didn’t have to force him to play or (say) you’ve got to do this,” he said.
“He just went out and did it so it’s a credit to him.”
With the Dragons rapidly improving this season and sitting 10th, and the Eels currently 16th, reports have started that Lomax is considering backflip on his Parramatta deal.
The winger put that to bed quickly.
“I’ve signed a deal. I’ve signed a deal at Parramatta, it’s four years,” he said.