Zac Lomax

Zac Lomax (born 24 September 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Zac Lomax
Personal information
Born (1999-09-24) 24 September 1999
Temora, New South Wales, Australia
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018– St. George Illawarra 93 35 252 1 645
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018–23 Prime Minister's XIII 4 1 18 0 40
Source: [1]
As of 23 September 2023

Early life

Lomax was born in Temora, New South Wales, Australia.

He played his junior rugby league for the Temora Dragons, where he once scored 40 points in a game that ended 100–0.[2]

Career

Early career

Lomax is a graduate of the Illawarra Steelers' SG Ball team and was named in both the Australian Schoolboys and NSW Under-18s teams in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, Lomax was awarded NSWRL's Under-18s Player of the Year.[3]

2018

Lomax made his NRL debut for St. George Illawarra in round 10 of the 2018 NRL season against South Sydney.[4] Lomax played in both finals games for St. George Illawarra in the 2018 NRL season. Lomax kicked three goals in week one of the finals series as St. George Illawarra defeated Brisbane 48–18 in an upset victory at Suncorp Stadium. The following week, Lomax kicked four goals as St. George Illawarra were defeated by Souths 13–12 at ANZ Stadium in the elimination final.[5] Lomax was named in the Prime Ministers XIII, New South Wales U18 for 2018, and also appeared in Brad Fittler's Emerging Blues camp, Zac also scored 5 goals in the PM XIII 34–18 win over PNG.[6] On 15 August 2018 Lomax re-signed with St. George Illawarra until the end of the 2020 NRL season.


Altogether Lomax played 2018 NRL season 4 games for St. George Illawarra winning two and losing two. He scored 11 goals with 22 points all together for the season.

2019

In the 2019 season Lomax played 10 games, scoring five tries and 15 goals before injuring his thumb at training, he returned in the round 19 loss against South Sydney. In December 2019, Lomax extended his contract until the end of the 2025 season.[7]

Altogether Lomax played 13 game in the 2019 NRL season for the St. George Illawarra Dragons winning five and losing nine. He scored five tries and 15 goals with a total of 50 points.

2020

In round 11 of the 2020 NRL season, Lomax scored two tries and kick four goals in a 28–24 loss against rivals Cronulla-Sutherland at Kogarah Oval.[8]

In round 13 against the Sydney Roosters, Lomax scored two tries and kicked two goals in a 24–16 loss at WIN Stadium.[9]

In round 19, Lomax scored two tries in a 42–18 defeat to Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.[10]

In October, Lomax was named in the New South Wales State of Origin preliminary squad.[11]

Altogether Lomax played 20 games for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the 2020 NRL season. He won seven games and lost 13 games. Lomax scored 13 tries and kicked 63 goals for a combined 178 points the best in his career to date.

2021

In round 3 of the 2021 NRL season, Lomax scored two tries and kicked seven goals in a 38–12 victory over Manly-Warringah at WIN Stadium.[12]

In round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Lomax suffered a suspected broken thumb in the club's 16–8 loss at WIN Stadium.[13]

Lomax played a total of 12 matches for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the 2021 NRL season. Winning four and losing eight. He scored four tries and kicked 35 goals for 86 points altogether for the season. As the luckless St. George Illawarra Dragons finished 11th on the table and missed out on the finals for the third year in a row.[14]

2022

During round 2 of the National Rugby League, Lomax was penalized for a professional foul against the Penrith Panthers in their 20-16 loss.[15] In round 6 of the National Rugby League, Lomax was involved in an incident during a try celebration where he decided to jump on the back of former teammate Tyson Frizell.[16] Lomax was given a grade one contrary conduct charge and fined $1,000 by the judiciary.[17] In round 24, Lomax kicked a penalty goal in the final minute to win the game for St. George Illawarra 24-22 over the Wests Tigers. The result meant that the Wests Tigers would finish with the Wooden Spoon for the first time in their history.[18] Lomax played 24 games for St. George Illawarra throughout the year and finished as the clubs top point scorer with 167 points.[19] Lomax was selected for the Prime Minister's XIII on the 25 September, which he scored 20 points including one try and eight conversions.

Altogether Lomax played 24 games for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the 2022 NRL season. Lomax won 12 games and lost 12 games. Lomax scored six tries and kicked 71 goals as he scored 167 points. The unlucky St. George side missed out on finals for the fourth year in the row as the club came 10th.

2023

On 2 May, Lomax was sensationally dropped by a desperate Anthony Griffin after a four-game losing streak.[20]

After the sacking of Anthony Griffin interim coach Ryan Carr called Lomax back into the side. Lomax kicked the winning conversion after the siren to win 24-22 against the Sydney Roosters. This broke the St. George Illawarra Dragons six-game losing streak.

On 1 July, news broke out by reporter Phil Rothfield that if Lomax formally requests a release from St. George Illawarra that they would allow him to speak to other clubs. Later that day incoming St. George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan blasted back on 2GB with him stating it was fake news and Lomax will stay as a Saints player like Ben Hunt.

In round 19, Lomax scored two tries and kicked five goals in St. George's 36-26 loss against Canberra.[21] In round 23, Lomax injured his shoulder against the Parramatta Eels. He missed round 24 against South Sydney and round 25 against the Melbourne Storm. Lomax played a total of 20 games for St. George Illawarra in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 16th on the table.[22]

Statistics
SeasonTeamPldTGFGP
2018 St. George Illawarra Dragons4-11-22
201913515-50
2020201363-178
202112435-86
2022246711167
2023*18654078
Totals91342491635

Controversy

On 5 July 2021, Lomax was fined $31,000 by the NRL and suspended for one game after breaching the game's Covid-19 biosecurity protocols when he attended a party along with 12 other St. George Illawarra players at Paul Vaughan's property.[23]

Personal life

Lomax has an older brother Hayden Lomax who use to be in the development squad for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.[24]

Lomax had a partner Jessica Sergis who plays in the NRL Women's Premiership. Due to COVID-19 protocols Sergis had to move out of their shared household in 2020.[25] They split in 2021.

In 2022 it was confirmed that Lomax has a new partner, Tahlia Thornton, who is a swimmer and swims for the Australian Swim Team.[26]

References
  1. "Zac Lomax - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  2. The day Zac Lomax won 100-0 (Interview). National Rugby League. 14 April 2020.
  3. "Klemmer Claims Brad Fittler Medal". New South Wales Rugby League. 11 September 2017. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  4. "Round 10 NRL teams: Every team named". Fox Sports. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  5. Newton, Alicia (26 October 2018). "St George Illawarra Dragons 2018 season review". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  6. Chammas, Michael (6 October 2018). "As it happened: PNG PM's XIII v Australia PM's XIII". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  7. Parkinson, Andrew (5 December 2019). "Dragons want Lomax to be one club player after long-term contract extension". St George & Sutherland Shire Leader. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  8. Jackson, Andrew (25 July 2020). "Sharks hold off fast-finishing Dragons in thrilling local derby". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 19 August 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  9. Walter, Brad (6 August 2020). "Robinson hails special night for Roosters and Aubusson". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  10. Brunsdon, Simon (20 September 2020). "Knights find some pre-finals form to thump dismal Dragons who 'wouldn't have beaten Dapto'". Fox Sports Australia. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  11. Rayson, Zac (5 October 2020). "Dragons star Zac Lomax's emotional call to parents after maiden Blues call-up". Fox Sports Australia. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  12. "South Sydney Rabbitohs defeat Sydney Roosters 26-16, St George Illawarra Dragons beat Manly Sea Eagles 38-12". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. AAP. 26 March 2021. Archived from the original on 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  13. St John, Mark; Brunsdon, Simon (2 May 2021). "Potential Blues blow as young gun injures thumb; worst news for two Roosters: Casualty Ward". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  14. Brunsdon, Simon (28 August 2021). "Luckless Cowboy ends 14-game losing streak; Dragons find their new No.6: 3 Big Hits". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  15. "Sin-bins and injuries galore in Panthers triumph". sen.com.au. 19 March 2022.
  16. Riordan, Joey (18 April 2021). "Dragons centre Zac Lomax responds after 'absolutely rubbish' Tyson Frizell celebration sparks melee". Seven News. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  17. "Judiciary Report: Tupou, Pene, Olakau'atu, Milne banned". National Rugby League. 26 April 2022. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  18. "'Sums up their season': Dragons get out of jail as Tigers blow unlosable game with huge blunder". www.foxsports.com.au.
  19. "NRL 2022: St George Illawarra Dragons season review". www.sportingnews.com.
  20. "'Do I look like I am panicking?': Griffin defends controversial handling of brutal axing". www.foxsports.com.au.
  21. "Zac Lomax contract: Will the Dragons star leave under Shane Flanagan?". www.sportingnews.com.
  22. "Hunt call that could define Flanagan era; glaring hole that must be filled: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
  23. "St George Illawarra Dragons players fined $305,000 and given match suspensions". National Rugby League. 5 July 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  24. Walter, Brad (1 May 2019). "Lomax a step closer to playing alongside big brother". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  25. Newton, Alicia (27 September 2020). "Moving out and quitting job: Testing times for world's best". National Rugby League. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  26. "NRL star Zac Lomax and swimmer Tahlia Thornton go Instagram official". News.com.au.
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