Eels coach Jason Ryles could face pressure to switch star recruit Zac Lomax back to his more familiar wing position, while Benji Marshall's side showed plenty of promise with new recruit Terrell May a standout. Lomax was the big signing for the Eels in 2025 having made the switch from the Dragons in a deal reportedly worth $2.6 million across four seasons. Lomax was pushing for a change of scenery as he made it clear he wanted to play centre at the Eels with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan playing the 25-year-old on the wing. Despite representing NSW and Australia on the wing in a stellar 2024 season, Ryles is ready to grant Lomax his wish and shift him closer to the ball. However, while only trials, early signs suggest Lomax is still getting the hang of the centre position after a lacklustre game in the Eels' 30-18 defeat to the Tigers. Lomax was rather subdued in his first hit-out on the right side in the blue and yellow jersey with the Eels looking a tad slower than Marshall's outfit. Lomax managed to put a solid shot on Lachie Galvin, but only managed five runs for 36 metres in his 40 minutes on the field. While he converted two goals in his first-half display, Lomax was not as involved as Ryles would have liked for a star earning around $650,000 a year. On the wing last year, Lomax scored 14 tries in 21 games. He was strong carrying the ball out from the back and was brilliant in the air. Ryles might have a decision to make if Lomax's qualities are lost at centre with the 25-year-old proving to be an elite winger. "Zac Lomax struggling at centre". How long before Rylesy does a Flanno & tells him he's wearing 2 or 5 (where he excelled last year...) despite the fact him wanting to be a centre is the reason he left SGI. Should be intetesting...
he was an average centre at the dragons.. he stifled a lot of their attack.. however, at magnificent winger but it's parra's call
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