Zac Lomax will leave St George Illawarra at the end of the NRL season after the Dragons bowed to pressure and agreed to release the disgruntled winger.
Frustrated at being moved out of the center position, Lomax’s management met with the NRL club again on Tuesday and reiterated her desire to leave the Dragons.
This time Dragons management agreed to a release, and Lomax’s contract for the next two years will be terminated without further payments from the Saints.
“This provides Zac and the club with clarity about the future, giving us time to strategize for the coming seasons,” Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb said.
“This deal allows the Dragons to focus on refining our top-30 roster and utilizing additional cap space.
“As long as Zac can continue with his future projects at another club.”
Parramatta are already favorites to sign the 24-year-old, having made no secret of their desire to lure him to Kellyville in recent weeks.
There is still some chance Lomax could make the move later this year, but the Dragons insist it will only be approved if a suitable player is offered in return.
Part of the St George Illawarra set-up since his days representing the Australian Schoolboys in 2016, Lomax was contracted to the club until the end of 2026.
But in recent seasons he became increasingly frustrated.
Then-coach Anthony Griffin moved him from his preferred position of right center early last year, and then he left the team shortly after.
Lomax returned to right center last year after Griffin’s firing, but then new coach Shane Flanagan asked him to play left wing to start this season.
The Dragons have also played Lomax at fullback several times throughout his career, including in the most recent summer before opting to keep Tyrell Sloan there.
Lomax has been one of the Dragons’ best to start this season, scoring three tries in four games and making more runs than any other NRL winger.
But at the same time he has made it clear that he does not want to remain in the band.
“Zac has consistently demonstrated his talent and dedication to the club, especially in the face of outside noise,” Flanagan said.
“We have every confidence that he will maintain his high level of performance for the remainder of the season, benefiting all those associated with the Dragons.”
The Dragons’ decision to release Lomax flies in the face of the club’s position on most contractual matters in recent years, including the denial of captain Ben Hunt’s release requests last year.
But it does allow the Dragons to buy out Lomax’s contract of around $800,000 a year, freeing up space to pursue other wingers next year.
Penrith try-scoring machine Sunia Turuva will likely be a top priority as the Fiji international is out of contract this year and ready to talk to other clubs.
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AAP