Disgruntled Dragons winger Zac Lomax may have to take a significant pay cut to realise his desire of playing in the centres for a rival NRL club.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan already proved last year he won’t roll over for players looking to leave when he rejected Ben Hunt’s release request as the new coach’s first order of business after arriving at the club.
It’s been confirmed Lomax asked for a release on the eve of this season after Flanagan moved him from centre to wing, but it was flatly denied.
Flanagan told Lomax – who is contracted until 2026 – he won’t be playing for anyone else this year, but is open to a potential early release if it suits the Dragons.
The Eels are keen on Lomax’s services but the fact he looks set to so easily break contract divided the NRL 360 panel on Wednesday night.
“He asked for a release before Round 1, he got his management to say to the Dragons that Zac’s not happy being selected on the wing, he wants to be in the centres so if he’s not going to be in the centres we’d like a release,” James Hooper said.
“The opposition clubs are queued up, Parramatta are the favourites. You’re allowed to talk but not allowed to make any formal offers.”
That triggered Paul Kent who said he’d had “a gut full” of clubs ignoring the NRL’s that stop contracted players being poached.
“What’s the point of talking to him if they can’t make him an offer,” Kent said.
“It’s rugby league, Paul. What planet have you been living on? It’s how it’s rolled for years,” Hooper responded.
