Zac Lomax held back tears after stepping up as Parramatta’s match-winner against his former club, the Dragons.
Despite originally joining the Eels to play in the centres, Lomax has embraced a shift to the wing, confirming he’s happy to remain there long-term. The change is notable given he left the Dragons seeking a centre role, even though he shone on the wing in 2024 — earning State of Origin and Kangaroos honours in what’s been his best NRL season so far.
Lomax began the year playing right centre in a hybrid role that saw him occasionally drop back for kick returns. But on Saturday, he played exclusively on the wing and was the difference-maker, nailing a golden point field goal to deliver the Eels their first win of the season. Earlier, he’d also slotted a long-range penalty to send the match into extra time.
Speaking to Fox League’s Lara Pitt post-match, Lomax was visibly emotional, acknowledging the significance of the moment — especially against a club where he played 114 games since his 2018 debut. “It was awesome to finally get that win in front of our home fans,” he said. “The players and supporters deserve it. I’m stoked.”
Fighting back tears, he added: “I’m pumped, but it’s tough, Lara. It’s emotional — but it’s a great win.”
The match marked Lomax’s first full game on the wing for Parramatta, a move that looks set to be permanent under coach Jason Ryles. The Eels believe the combination of Lomax and centre Will Penisini offers their best option on the right edge.
Lomax says the decision came after Ryles wanted him to have more involvement in the game — a tactic that paid off, with Lomax running 188 metres and playing a key role in the victory. He denied speculation that his departure from the Dragons was tied to positional disagreements with coach Shane Flanagan.
“Being on the wing lets me get more touches,” Lomax explained. “There’s been a lot of noise about it, but honestly, I just want to be where I can help the team the most. I don’t really mind where I play — as long as I’m near the footy and contributing.”
Saturday also saw signs of improvement across the Eels squad. Dylan Brown delivered his strongest performance of the year, possibly shaking off pressure linked to his high-profile $14 million move to Newcastle for 2025. New recruit Dylan Walker added spark through the middle, offering more attacking options.
Meanwhile, fullback Isaiah Iongi showed increasing confidence in the No.1 jersey — highlighted by several strong takes under pressure and a crucial try-saving tackle on Clint Gutherson. Channeling lessons from his time behind Dylan Edwards at Penrith, Iongi then followed up with a smart clean-up of a grubber kick in the in-goal.
“That’s the sort of work ethic I want in my game,” Iongi said. “Watching Dylan Edwards, it’s about those repeated efforts. That’s a big part of what I’m striving for.”
Parramatta now turns its attention to a clash with Canberra next Saturday night, with the Raiders riding high after a strong win over the Sharks.
