It’s been a rollercoaster NRL season for Zac Lomax, the St. George Illawarra youngster who has seen both the highs and lows of the league during the current season.
But things are looking up for the 23-year-old, as he has come into some strong form in the back half of the season.
Following a mid-season demotion, Lomax has come back better than ever, illustrated by a piece of brilliance play against the Tigers to set up teammate Mikaele Ravalawa for the game-winning try.
Incredible from Lomax! 🤯#NRLDragonsTigers pic.twitter.com/kHzNIBGlSd
— NRL (@NRL) July 20, 2023
What caused Zac Lomax's form turnaround?
After the game, Dragons interim coach Ryan Carr praised Lomax’s efforts throughout the season, and his role in winning this key game to help the Dragons avoid last position.
“(Lomax’s form) has always been there, he’s enjoying his footy, he’s enjoying doing his job and his role for the team, again he had to go fullback when we had a man down, and then he went back to right centre and found a way,” Carr said.
“He’s got that brilliance in him, he’s really reliable with his effort and his work rate for us, which has been pleasing.
“I’m not a massive stats man, I’m more about the effectiveness of them, but that’s just him right, he knows that the team’s tired and they need help and he’s super fit, he’s elite, and he just works himself to a stand-still and you see him at the end of the game sitting there, it’s just nice to do it and be able to sit there after a win tonight.”
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Lomax’s play was especially key around half an hour in, when fullback Tyrell Sloan was sin-binned, causing Lomax to shuffle to this position.
While praising Lomax, Carr was pleased with his entire team’s effort, noting their passion despite their lacklustre season.
“Our whole back five I thought did a really good job of working hard to get us out of the backfield, especially when (Tyrell Sloan) was off so we were down to a back four for a period of time,” Carr said
“When they carry out a yardage for us we’ve got big powerful outside backs, that’s an asset of ours, and Suli, Lomax, Fegai, and Ravalawa, they’re all powerful athletes and when they’re carrying hard for us out of the backfield they’re doing a really good job.”
When the final whistle sounded, Lomax had recorded one try, one try assist, and 188 run metres, including the game-winning play. Combined with his impressive player in the Dragons’ round 19 game against Canberra, the young star is proving he is ready to take his play to the next level.
