Zac Lomax
{{Short description|Australia international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
| name = Zac Lomax
| image = Zac Lomax Dragons.jpg
| position = {{rlp|CE|WG}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1999|9|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = Temora, New South Wales, Australia
| height = {{convert|190|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|105|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| club1 = St. George Illawarra
| year1start = 2018
| year1end = 24
| appearances1 = 114
| tries1 = 49
| goals1 = 315
| fieldgoals1 = 3
| points1 = 831
|club2 = Parramatta Eels
|year2start = 2025
|year2end = present
|appearances2 = 11
|tries2 = 4
|goals2 = 27
|fieldgoals2 = 1
|points2 = 71
|teamA = {{nowrap|Prime Minister's XIII}}
|yearAstart = 2018
|yearAend = 23
|appearancesA = 3
|triesA = 1
|goalsA = 18
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 40
|teamB = New South Wales
|yearBstart = 2024
|yearBend = 25
|appearancesB = 6
|triesB = 5
|goalsB = 10
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 40
|teamC = Australia
|yearCstart = 2024
|appearancesC = 3
|triesC = 2
|goalsC = 8
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 24
|new = yes
| updated = 13 July 2025
}}
Zac Lomax (born 24 September 1999) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League, New South Wales in State of Origin and Australia at international level.
He previously played for the St. George Illawarra in the NRL. He has also played as a {{rlp|ce}} and {{rlp|fb}} in his career.
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.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/04/15/the-day-zac-lomax-won-100-0/ |title=The day Zac Lomax won 100-0 |date=2020-04-14 |type=Interview |publisher=National Rugby League}}
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.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-11 |title=Klemmer Claims Brad Fittler Medal |url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/09/11/klemmer-claims-brad-fittler-medal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422111132/https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/09/11/klemmer-claims-brad-fittler-medal/ |archive-date=2019-04-22 |access-date=2020-10-11 |website=New South Wales Rugby League}}
= 2018 =
Lomax made his NRL debut for St. George Illawarra in round 10 of the 2018 NRL season against South Sydney.{{Cite web |date=2018-05-08 |title=Round 10 NRL teams: Every team named |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/round-10-nrl-teams-every-team-named/news-story/f9ddd4140aaaaa8cb1c623d04aaf4935 |access-date=2018-05-08 |website=Fox Sports}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Alicia |date=2018-10-26 |title=St George Illawarra Dragons 2018 season review |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/20/st-george-illawarra-dragons-2018-season-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920124808/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/20/st-george-illawarra-dragons-2018-season-review/ |archive-date=2018-09-20 |access-date=2019-07-19 |website=NRL.com}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Chammas |first=Michael |date=2018-10-06 |title=As it happened: PNG PM's XIII v Australia PM's XIII |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/06/live-blog-png-pms-xiii-v-australia-pms-xiii-womens-and-mens-matches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006065202/https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/10/06/live-blog-png-pms-xiii-v-australia-pms-xiii-womens-and-mens-matches/ |archive-date=2018-10-06 |access-date=2019-07-22 |website=NRL.com}}
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 NRL 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.{{Cite news |last=Parkinson |first=Andrew |date=2019-12-05 |title=Dragons want Lomax to be one club player after long-term contract extension |work=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader |url=https://www.theleader.com.au/story/6528637/dragons-want-lomax-to-be-one-club-player-after-long-term-contract-extension/ |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011230418/https://www.theleader.com.au/story/6528637/dragons-want-lomax-to-be-one-club-player-after-long-term-contract-extension/ |archive-date=2020-10-11}}
Altogether Lomax played 13 games in the 2019 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 October, Lomax was named in the New South Wales State of Origin preliminary squad.{{Cite web |last=Rayson |first=Zac |date=2020-10-05 |title=Dragons star Zac Lomax's emotional call to parents after maiden Blues call-up |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/nrl-2020-zac-lomax-nsw-state-of-origin-debut-news-st-george-illawarra-dragons-squad-team/news-story/8438c7f63660d8f93307b16d3a9b8685/ |access-date=2020-10-07 |website=Fox Sports Australia}}
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.{{Cite news |date=2021-03-26 |title=South Sydney Rabbitohs defeat Sydney Roosters 26-16, St George Illawarra Dragons beat Manly Sea Eagles 38-12 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=AAP |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-26/nrl-rabbitohs-beat-sydney-roosters-dragons-defeat-sea-eagles/100026698/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326111238/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-26/nrl-rabbitohs-beat-sydney-roosters-dragons-defeat-sea-eagles/100026698/ |archive-date=2021-03-26}}
In round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Lomax suffered a suspected broken thumb in the club's 16–8 loss at WIN Stadium.{{Cite web |last1=St John |first1=Mark |last2=Brunsdon |first2=Simon |date=2021-05-02 |title=Potential Blues blow as young gun injures thumb; worst news for two Roosters: Casualty Ward |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-casualty-ward-injuries-george-williams-hamstring-canberra-raiders-james-tedesco-concussion-hia-head-knock/news-story/5b6b7cc9a03c22f2705dd010c4ee2613/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502111645/https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-casualty-ward-injuries-george-williams-hamstring-canberra-raiders-james-tedesco-concussion-hia-head-knock/news-story/5b6b7cc9a03c22f2705dd010c4ee2613?nk=d691cc85a714eb47bdcc10426b733b3b-1619954205 |archive-date=2021-05-02 |access-date=2021-05-02 |website=Fox Sports}}
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 Dragons finished 11th on the table and missed out on the finals for the third year in a row.{{Cite web |last=Brunsdon |first=Simon |date=2021-08-28 |title=Luckless Cowboy ends 14-game losing streak; Dragons find their new No.6: 3 Big Hits |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-st-george-illawarra-dragons-vs-north-queensland-cowboys-live-stream-blog-score-updates-supercoach/news-story/bb4205d15445f75b33404ef10c54a3b6/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006192827/https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2021-st-george-illawarra-dragons-vs-north-queensland-cowboys-live-stream-blog-score-updates-supercoach/news-story/bb4205d15445f75b33404ef10c54a3b6 |archive-date=2021-10-06 |access-date=2021-10-06 |website=Fox Sports}}
=2022=
In round 6 of 2022 NRL season, Lomax was involved in an incident during a try celebration where he decided to jump on the back of former teammate Tyson Frizell.{{Cite news |last=Riordan |first=Joey |date=2021-04-18 |title=Dragons centre Zac Lomax responds after 'absolutely rubbish' Tyson Frizell celebration sparks melee |work=Seven News |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/dragons-centre-zac-lomax-responds-after-absolutely-rubbish-tyson-frizell-celebration-sparks-melee-c-6481878 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-04-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418082346/https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/dragons-centre-zac-lomax-responds-after-absolutely-rubbish-tyson-frizell-celebration-sparks-melee-c-6481878 |archive-date=2022-04-18}} Lomax was given a grade one contrary conduct charge and fined $1,000 by the judiciary.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-26 |title=Judiciary Report: Tupou, Pene, Olakau'atu, Milne banned |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/03/13/juduciary-report-all-the-latest-charges/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427062427/https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/03/13/juduciary-report-all-the-latest-charges/ |archive-date=2022-04-27 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=National Rugby League}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/dally-m-favourite-to-prove-dragons-brass-wrong-as-tigers-look-to-avoid-the-spoon-nrl-live/news-story/48ab9a15ae6304a08b97b66b8da1991e/|title='Sums up their season': Dragons get out of jail as Tigers blow unlosable game with huge blunder|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
Lomax played 24 games for St. George Illawarra throughout the year and finished as the clubs top point scorer with 167 points.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2022-st-george-illawarra-dragons-season-review/l821xem9o1l8u8ylavtd3ono/|title=NRL 2022: St George Illawarra Dragons season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}}
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 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 dropped by Anthony Griffin after a four-game losing streak.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-anthony-griffin-on-zac-lomax-axing-st-george-illawarra-dragons-why-was-he-dropped-wests-tigers/news-story/1197108da917b2f204ba7ad1a5dfaa88/|title='Do I look like I am panicking?': Griffin defends controversial handling of brutal axing|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
In round 19, Lomax scored two tries and kicked five goals in St. George's 36-26 loss against Canberra.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/zac-lomax-dragons-contract-nrl-2023-shane-flanagan/bezvatetawpi6jfe9zu5nj0p/|title=Zac Lomax contract: Will the Dragons star leave under Shane Flanagan?|website=www.sportingnews.com}}
In round 213, 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-st-george-illawarra-dragons-end-of-season-review-brutal-review-rugby-league-news-ben-hunt-shane-flanagan/news-story/876c40f7fc8f8cf09cf2c720499f7db2/|title=Hunt call that could define Flanagan era; glaring hole that must be filled: Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
=2024=
In round 3 of the 2024 NRL season, Lomax scored two tries and kicked four goals in St. George Illawarra's 46-24 loss against North Queensland.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-23/nrl-live-updates-bulldogs-titans-dragons-cowboys-tigers-sharks/103624114/|title=Tigers defeat Sharks 32-6 to earn Benji Marshall his first win, after Cowboys thump Dragons 46-24, Gold Coast loses 32-0 to Bulldogs|website=www.abc.net.au}}
On 2 April, it was announced that Lomax would depart St. George Illawarra at the end of the season after being granted an early release from his contract which was due to expire in 2026.{{cite web|url=https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2024/04/02/dragons-announce-departure-of-zac-lomax-at-seasons-end/|title=Dragons announce departure of Zac Lomax at season's end|website=www.dragons.com.au}}
On 16 April, it was announced that Lomax had signed a four-year deal with Parramatta starting in 2025.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/zac-lomax-st-george-illawarra-dragons-nrl-contract-news/cb91442990d4100184e6f9c9/|title=Who could Zac Lomax sign for? Dragons star's four-year Eels deal confirmed|website=www.sportingnews.com}}
In round 7, Lomax played his 100th first grade game in St. George Illawarra's 30-12 upset victory over the New Zealand Warriors.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2024-st-george-illawarra-dragons-defeat-warriors-upset-win-zac-lomax-stars-in-milestone-match/ec894b1c-a1d4-4433-a5ed-da2129cccb59/|title=Fast-starting Warriors crumble as Dragons pull off surprise victory|website=wwos.nine.com.au}}
On 26 May, Lomax was named on the wing for New South Wales ahead of game one in the 2024 State of Origin series. Lomax scored a try on his Origin debut as New South Wales lost 38-10.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/05/26/blues-announce-new-look-squad-for-origin-opener/|title=Blues name six rookies, new captain for Origin opener|website=www.nrl.com}}
In round 14, Lomax scored a club record 32 points (three tries and ten goals) in St. George Illawarra's 56-14 victory over the Wests Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-news-2024-st-george-illawarra-dragons-vs-wests-tigers-live-stream-updates-supercoach-scores-video-ben-hunt-zac-lomax/news-story/1d15a64590717d4554854e1c80311f5a/|title=Lomax’s historic 32-pt blitz as Dragons condemn ’dreadful’ Tigers: What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
In game two of the 2024 State of Origin series, Lomax scored two tries and kicked five goals in New South Wales 38-18 victory over Queensland.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/jun/26/state-of-origin-2024-game-2-live-updates-nsw-blues-v-queensland-maroons-scores-results-start-time-kick-off-mcg-melbourne/|title=State of Origin 2024 Game 2: NSW Blues beat Qld Maroons – as it happened|website=www.theguardian.com}}
Lomax would later play in game three of the series as New South Wales won 14-4 in Brisbane to claim the shield for the first time since 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2024-round-20-early-mail-ins-and-outs-players-cut-team-selections-mitch-moses-injury-origin-injuries-and-suspensions/news-story/3e5722f6dc03717ef36a97b9aa3823aa/|title=Eels’ worst fears; image Kevvie won’t want to see in Broncos’ brutal Origin blow — Late Mail|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
Although Lomax was against being moved from centre to the wing at the start of the season by Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, as it would turn out it his form would be such that not only did he make his State of Origin debut for New South Wales in 2024, but he was also named on the wing in the 2024 Dally M Team of the Year and was later selected to the Australian squad for the 2024 Pacific Championships.[https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/10/07/australian-kangaroos-named-for-pacific-championships/ Kangaroos squad named For Pacific Championships] Lomax made his test debut on the wing for Australia in the opening game of the Pacific Championships on 18 October at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, kicking 3 goals in the Kangaroos 18–0 win over Tonga.[https://www.nrl.com/news/2024/10/18/kangaroos-launch-new-era-with-tough-win-over-tonga/ Kangaroos Launce New Era]
=2025=
Lomax made his club debut for Parramatta in round 1 of the 2025 NRL season against the Melbourne Storm which saw the side lose 56-18.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-09/nrl-round-1-live-updates-melbourne-storm-parramatta-eels/103595560/|title=Melbourne Storm start NRL season in red hot form to smash Parramatta Eels, Dragons apologise for 'antisocial' video|website=www.abc.net.au}}
On 5 April, Lomax kicked a game tying penalty with three minutes remaining, and a game winning field goal in golden point to secure Parramatta their first win of the season under new head coach Jason Ryles, Lomax was seen emotional after the game against his former club. In round 11, Lomax scored two tries and kicked four goals in Parramatta's 28-6 victory over Newcastle. Lomax was selected by New South Wales ahead of the 2025 State of Origin series. In game one, Lomax scored two tries in New South Wales' 18-6 victory.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-05 |title=Zac Lomax claims Dragons revenge in stunning first Eels win {{!}} Sporting News Australia |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/zac-lomax-eels-dragons-first-win/6e188194a50d5b6f19fb625b |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=www.sportingnews.com |language=en-au}}
Lomax was retained for game two of the series but had a horror night with the goal kicking duties only scoring two out of a possible five conversions which ultimately cost New South Wales the match and a chance of winning the series as Queensland won 26-24. Lomax was retained for game three where New South Wales would lose the match 24-12 and the series 2-1.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/state-of-origin/state-of-origin-game-2-live-updates-scores-nsw-vs-qld-start-time-result-video-teams-perth/news-story/613e274e94c5fe6f8a15f5cab96ff2a5/|title=‘I can’t believe it’: Blues fall JUST short of Origin history as Queensland send series to decider|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable" style="border-collapse:collapse;text-align:center" | ||||||
| Season | Team | Pld | T | G | FG | |P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | rowspan="7" |{{leagueicon|St. George Illawarra Dragons|23}} St. George Illawarra Dragons | 4 | - | 11 | - | 22 |
| 2019 | 13 | 5 | 15 | - | 50 | |
| 2020 | 20 | 13 | 63 | - | 178 | |
| 2021 | 12 | 4 | 35 | - | 86 | |
| 2022 | 24 | 6 | 71 | 1 | 167 | |
| 2023 | 20 | 7 | 57 | - | 142 | |
| 2024 | 21 | 14 | 63 | 2 | 186 | |
| 2025
|{{Leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta Eels |5 | |22 |1 |43 | ||||||
| Totals | 119 | 49 | 337 | 4 | 874 |
Personal life
Lomax's older brother, Hayden Lomax, used to be in the development squad for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.{{Cite web |last=Walter |first=Brad |date=2019-05-01 |title=Lomax a step closer to playing alongside big brother |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/01/lomax-a-step-closer-to-playing-alongside-big-brother/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501033303/https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/01/lomax-a-step-closer-to-playing-alongside-big-brother/ |archive-date=2019-05-01 |access-date=2019-07-22 |website=NRL.com}}
Lomax was dating 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.{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Alicia |date=2020-09-27 |title=Moving out and quitting job: Testing times for world's best |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/27/moving-out-and-quitting-job-testing-times-for-worlds-best/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021140445/https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/27/moving-out-and-quitting-job-testing-times-for-worlds-best/ |archive-date=2020-10-21 |access-date=2021-05-30 |website=National Rugby League}}
In 2022, it was confirmed that Lomax has a new partner, Tahlia Thornton, who is a swimmer for the Australian Swim Team.{{Cite news |title=NRL star Zac Lomax and swimmer Tahlia Thornton go Instagram official |work=News.com.au |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-star-zac-lomax-and-swimmer-tahlia-thornton-go-instagram-official/news-story/e736d43168d39a005e4a9cf09d421d9f}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.dragons.com.au/teams/nrl-premiership/st-george-illawarra-dragons/zac-lomax/ St. George Illawarra Dragons profile]
{{Parramatta Eels squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lomax, Zac}}
Category:Australia national rugby league team players
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
Category:Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Rugby league players from Temora, New South Wales
Category:St. George Illawarra Dragons players
Category:Parramatta Eels players