Dragons legend Jason Nightingale has admitted it’ll be “bitter sweet” to watch Zac Lomax depart the club at the end of the season to join the Eels.
But he believes the “future is bright” and has identified three up-and-coming outside backs that could play a part in the club’s future.
Nightingale played 266 NRL games for the Dragons — including the 2010 Grand Final — making him the second most capped player of the joint venture.
He carved out a hugely successful career on the wing, playing 210 NRL games on the flank and 32 of his 33 appearances for New Zealand were there too.
So when Lomax was dealt the news that he’d be shifting from centre to wing this season, it was only natural he had a chat to one of the best to ever do it on the flank in the Red V.
“I sat down with him (before the season) and he said ‘I’m playing wing’ and he was half disgruntled about it,” Nightingale told the Fox League Podcast.
“He asked me — I don’t actually know if he listened to what I said — but I said ‘wing is better than centre so you should appreciate that you’re not in the centres any more.’”
Nightingale smiled as he added “but he didn’t (listen) and he doesn’t (listen),” before crediting Lomax’s “awesome” form this season.
“I think the biggest thing with Zac is how fit he is. He was always the fittest — and he’s gone to another level,” he said.
“The amount of effort he can put into a game because of his conditioning level — and his competitiveness — is awesome. He will do two runs in a set and then chase a kick like his life depends on it.
“That’s obviously partially natural ability by the fact he’s genetically blessed to be that fit — but also want and will. Seeing him apply all of that is the reason he’s getting the rewards on the field.”
Lomax, who celebrated his 100th NRL game last week, has played all but one of his games this season on the wing.
He sits at the top of the Dally M leaderboard after scoring six tries in seven games and averaging 167 metres per game. He also leads his team in tackle busts and offloads, while sits second in linebreaks and try assists.
His form on the wing has even shot him into contention for a New South Wales jersey. But he wants to be a centre — he’s made that clear many times — and has signed a four-year deal with the Eels to do that.
Coach Shane Flanagan made the call to push Lomax out to the wing to make room for Jack Bird in the centres after he won a premiership eight years ago under Flanagan in that position.
And neither Flanagan or Lomax — or any of his teammates for that matter — have shied away from admitting the 24-year-old isn’t too happy about it.
When asked if he prefers Lomax on a wing or in the centres, Nightingale said: “I’d like him to just say ‘I’ll do what’s better for the team’ but that’s not in Zac’s make-up unfortunately.
“But he’s a great winger, a great centre. I’d just like him to say ‘I’ll do whatever is best for the team’.”
Nightingale acknowledged it must be hard for Dragons fans to watch Lomax play the best footy of his career knowing he’ll be leaving at the end of the season.
But he applauded the Temora product for not checking out mentally.
“That’s the thing with Zac, he’s such a competitor and such a good athlete that at least he’ll consistently turn up,” Nightingale said.
“Good on him to keep playing at that high level — and I think he will (continue to).
“Fans want to know if a player is leaving are they going to commit? And there’s no question about that with Zac. He’s been our best player for a number of weeks now.
“It’s a bit bittersweet, but the reality of it is that’s when the business of sport gets involved and you do have to accept that.
“It’s mutually beneficial for us, Parramatta and Zac… but it will be our loss next year in terms of not being able to see what he does in the Red V.”
Depending on how the Dragons plan on filling the gap, Lomax’s could open the door for the club’s next generation of players.
Nightingale keeps a close eye on the lower grades and singled out Savelio Tamale and Sione Finau — both in the Top 30 — as players that could step up.
He’s also a big fan of Illawarra Steelers’ SG Ball captain Hayden Buchanan, who trained full-time with the NRL squad during pre-season.
“The Steelers have a really good centre (Buchanan) who’s coming through. He’s got good leg speed, is very fit and very strong. The SG Ball kids are probably a year or two away… but the future is bright,” he said.
“I’m not going to say there’s another Zac Lomax coming soon but Hayden Buchanan is a gun… and so are Tamale and Finau.”