Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has neither confirmed or denied whether Dragons star Zac Lomax will join the Eels in 2024 as the club prepares to announce the signing of the 24-year-old.
It was revealed last week that Lomax will link up with the Eels from 2025 on a four-year deal, however Eels powerbrokers are very keen to add him to their roster as early as possible.
Lomax requested an early release from the Dragons due to a desire to play in the centres, which after some initial pushback, ended up granting.
The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Ironically, Lomax is arguably in the midst of a career-best season since new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan shifted him from the centres to the wing.
While willing to let Lomax go next season, the Dragons are digging their heels in regarding an early release in 2024, with Flanagan emphatically denying a player swap with the Eels to accommodate it.
Speaking Monday night on NRL360, Arthur was excited about Lomax’s arrival, believing the talented outside back will being a new dimension to the Eels.
“It’s imminent. The club is hopeful of announcing something in the next couple of days,” Arthur said.
“Zac’s athletic, he’s fast, he’s a bit different to what we got in the outside backs.
“He’s a kick target, he’s aggressive, he competes hard.
“What side of the field, we don’t know, we’ll worry about that next year.
“Playing in the centres, he can be nice and strong out of the backfield for us but I think he’s got a good ability to set people up to the outside of him as well as score tries to himself.”
Was the charge down on SJ a penalty? | 01:47
MORE NRL NEWS
‘WHAT’S TELLING IS WHO WASN’T THERE’: Calls for Latrell switch for Souths
‘F**K YOU’: Ricky’s ‘heated’ dressing room bust-up with Des revealed amid ref tirade
‘OFFSIDE’: NRL admits Des’ golden point gripe was right but rules deny Titans penalty
When pressed by The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield on whether Lomax could join the Eels this season, Arthur was tight-lipped.
“I’m not sure. I’ve left that with (GM of Football) Mark (O’Neill) and our recruitment guys to sort out,” he said.
“At the moment we’re worried about the team that we will put out this week. we’ve got a tough game and need to back up some week-to-week performances.”
Discussion about this post