Eels-bound star Zac Lomax has set the record straight over the positional question marks that have dominated headlines this season, while also revealing his aspirations to jump into the boxing ring in the coming years.
The 25-year-old is enjoying the best year of his NRL career at St George Illawarra, helping the side into the top-eight and earning a State of Origin debut for NSW.
Lomax has spent a large chunk of his first grade tenure in the centres, but was moved to the wing under Shane Flanagan in a move that has paid off for the Dragons.
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However, despite finding form in the role, Lomax will head to Parramatta on a long-term deal in 2025, with many believing his desire to play centre was behind the move.
In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald ahead of the Origin decider, the talented Temora product said he was always happy to do what was best for the team.
Zac Lomax trains with the NSW Blues during the 2024 State of Origin series. Getty
“I have never come out and said ‘I don’t want to play wing’ and my teammates know I will play and compete and do whatever is best for the team,” Lomax said.
“I’ve had so many different coaches that have liked different things. I thought to myself, ‘I’ll just back myself and do what I think works’, and if it works, it works, if it doesn’t, I’ll reassess and go again.
“I’m just an honest dude who loves my family and friends, and wants to be the best man I can be, and the best role model I can be I’m also the sorest loser. I hate to lose.
“I always want to be better. It’s actually helped me get to where I am. I can rub people the wrong way, I get it. When I go up against similar players, I want to flog them.”
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Lomax has always been an aggressive player in the Red V, but his evolution under Flanagan this year has seen him become a more complete threat on the field.
And that same aggression could see him trade the footy boots for boxing gloves in the coming years, potentially on a No Limit undercard.
Zac Lomax and some of his Dragons teammates at a No Limit event. No Limit Boxing
“Boxing, for instance. I’m obsessed with it and love it. I thoroughly enjoy it, it’s an art, and every time you spar, you learn something,” Lomax said.
“I’ve got it in my Parramatta contract I can fight, but it can also be taxing on the body, and this year has already been big.”
Lomax will play on the wing for the Blues in the decider on Wednesday night after starring in the first two games of his Origin career.