Shane Flanagan calls out ugly truth about Zac Lomax amid position switch at Parramatta Eels

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan says he's happy Zac Lomax made his representative debuts for the Blues and Kangaroos this year but reckons it never would have happened if he wasn't playing on the wing. Flanagan's decision to move Lomax to the wing this year proved the catalyst for the 25-year-old to seek a move to NRL rivals Parramatta in 2025, where he's set to play in his preferred position of centre.

Many have questioned why new Eels coach Jason Ryles wouldn't play Lomax on the wing after an incredible season for the Red V that saw him named in the NRL Team of the Year. Lomax also starred on the wing for NSW in their victorious State of Origin campaign and also for the Kangaroos as they won the Pacific Championships.

Speaking on SEN's The Run Home with Joel & Fletch, the Dragons coach says his call to move Lomax out of centre was ultimately vindicated, despite reservations from the player himself. Flanagan joked that Lomax still hasn't phoned him up to show his appreciation but says he doesn't think the rep honours would have eventuated for the Eels recruit if he wasn't playing on the wing.

"I take great satisfaction out of watching Zac play, it wasn't just my decision," Flanagan said. "Obviously we spoke about it as coach and staff and ultimately I made the call that it had to happen. And I'm happy for him, obviously he's played Origin and played for his country and if he didn't play on the wing that wouldn't have happened."

Flanagan went on to praise Lomax's attitude and professionalism and commended him for adapting so well to a position he wasn't initially keen on playing. "In the end I made the move but Zac had to apply the skillset and he's tried really hard and he has ripped into it and done a really good job with it."

League great Bryan Fletcher questioned whether Lomax's reluctance to play on the wing had something to do with the perceived contract value of that position as opposed to the centres. And Flanagan admitted that could have played a part in Lomax's thinking, despite the 25-year-old moving to the Eels for less money than he was on at the Dragons.

Shane Flanagan says some positions more attractive than others

"Sometimes players are worried about the number on their back... especially when it comes to the negotiation period," he said. "Because obviously in their eyes centres get more than wingers, fullbacks get more than centres and wingers so there's a bit of a scale on the pay rate.

"Zac maybe had a thing in his head early on where he was a centre, not a winger but as time went on he adjusted to it and he's had a really good season. But yeah I think the number on their back worries a lot of players." Lomax recently spoke about his decision to leave the Dragons and suggested he saw the Eels as a better club to achieve success with.

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“I needed a different way in my footy career, and I feel for me it was the best decision I could have made. I’m super looking forward to it,” Lomax said. “I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone. I’d been there for a long time, but ultimately I wanted to win. I don’t feel where that team (Eels) finished this year is how they’re going to go next year. I feel that with the team and the club at Parra, we’re going to have a really successful year.”