Zac Lomax's $2.6m mistake laid bare as NRL star crowned winger of the year at Dally M

Zac Lomax's incredible season for the Dragons has been rewarded with being named Dally M winger of the year, but it once again raises the question over what prompted his move to the Eels in 2025. Jahrome Hughes was the talk of the night after eclipsing James Tedesco in a close battle for his maiden Dally M award.

However, Lomax's achievement to be selected in the Dally M team of the season has also raised eyebrows within the NRL community. Earlier this year, Lomax put an end to months of speculation when the Dragons released him from his contract so he could join the Eels in 2025.

Lomax was reportedly unhappy at playing on the wing for the Dragons and wanted to switch to his preferred centre position. And with rival clubs lurking, the Eels signed the star on a reported $2.6 million deal. This is a reported pay cut from the final year of his Dragons deal, where he was earning $850,000 per year.

However, it could be hard to see Lomax moving away from the wing at the Eels after producing a career-best year. The winger was selected for NSW in State of Origin and was one of the Blues' best in a series victory. He scored 14 tries in 21 appearances at club level, which earned him a debut in the Dally M team of the year.

Lomax would also be hard to look past for a debut for the Kangaroos this year in Mal Meninga's Australia team. This leaves incoming Parramatta Eels coach Jason Ryles with a huge decision to make. Circumstances have changed a lot since Lomax struck an agreement with the Eels in April, most notably with former coach Brad Arthur - the man who convinced Lomax to join - departing.

Parramatta have also struggled this season after they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon with a win in the final game of the season. Lomax will have the opportunity to take part in a revolution under new coach Ryles at the Eels, and plenty of eyes will be on where Lomax lines-up in the new system as a number of players are shown the door.

Whether it comes down to a desire for a positional switch, or a change of environment, Lomax will have a new challenge on his hands at the Eels. Regardless, the Dragons are losing a star player in Lomax with the Eels set to benefit as the NSW back will look to build on his career-best season.

Zac Lomax remains quiet on reasons for Dragons exit

After signing for the Eels in dramatic circumstances, plenty of fans wanted to know why Lomax had requested a release from the final year of his contract. And while he still hasn't given a definitive answer, the winger did admit he will speak about the decision in time.

“I’m more than comfortable to talk about it but for the meantime I feel it would be a little bit disrespectful on my behalf to be talking about what’s going to happen next year," he said earlier this year. "My focus for me and my teammates at the moment is giving my best for the Dragons, for the club itself and my teammates. I’d like for you guys to feel my performances on the weekend are showing that.

"My focus is here at the Dragons and being the best teammate I can. I feel I’m playing football my teammates are happy with and the club’s happy with and I’m happy with.”

While Lomax has denied he was disgruntled that coach Shane Flanagan shifted him from centre to wing, Flanagan has previously confirmed Lomax wasn't happy. It appears he made a snap decision to leave the Dragons so he could return to the centres at Parramatta - a decision he might no regret considering his career year on the wing.

Jahrome Hughes wins Dally M award

While Eels fans would have been delighted to see Lomax claim winger of the year, the NRL world was thrilled to see Jahrome Hughes become the first Kiwi halfback in 32 years to claim the top award. There was little within the NRL community, including Nathan Cleary, Hughes has been the best player of the 2024 season.

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And the Storm halfback was rewarded with a close one-point win, over James Tedesco, to become the fourth New Zealand player to win the award. And he was then met by an impromptu haka led by Storm teammates Will Warbrick and Eliesa Katoa, and Canberra forward Joseph Tapine. "I don't really play the game for individual accolades, I play it for team accolades," Hughes said.

"That was the way I was looking at it coming into it. But now I have been lucky enough to win it, I see how special it is. When you see the players who have won it, it's pretty crazy."