**Eels Star Zac Lomax Explains the Reasoning Behind His Backline Switch This Season: A New Chapter in His Career**
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional rugby league, the ability to adapt and evolve is paramount for players looking to reach the pinnacle of their careers. For many athletes, finding the right position on the field that maximizes their skills and enhances the overall performance of their team is a critical step in their journey. For Zac Lomax, the highly talented backline player who made a high-profile move to the Parramatta Eels, this journey has been a fascinating one. In the 2025 season, Lomax has made a notable switch in his playing position, and the reasoning behind this change has sparked significant interest and excitement among fans, analysts, and pundits alike.
Lomax, who previously spent several years at the St. George Illawarra Dragons, had established himself as one of the NRL’s most promising and potent attacking weapons. His ability to break defensive lines, his natural flair, and his powerful kicking game were among the standout features of his play during his time with the Dragons. However, this season, Lomax made the decision to switch positions in the backline, moving from his usual role at centre to a new position, and the decision has already paid off in a big way. After a strong performance in his new role, Lomax has opened up about the reasoning behind his backline switch and what it means for his future at the Parramatta Eels.
In this article, we will delve into the factors that led to Zac Lomax’s position switch, analyze his performance since the change, and explore how this decision could shape his career and the Eels’ prospects moving forward. From his previous stint at the Dragons to his fresh start at the Eels, we’ll explore how this backline switch has affected both his playing style and his contribution to his new team.
### **Zac Lomax: A Rising Star at the Dragons**
Before we dive into the specifics of Lomax’s position change, it is important to first look back at his career with the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Lomax began his NRL journey with the Dragons in 2017, quickly making a name for himself as a dynamic and explosive player in the backline. Standing at 6 feet tall and possessing a powerful frame, Lomax was a force both in attack and defense. His natural speed, agility, and vision allowed him to create opportunities for himself and his teammates, and his skill with the boot made him a valuable weapon in both set plays and goal-kicking.
Lomax’s time with the Dragons was marked by consistent performances, but he also experienced his fair share of challenges. The Dragons, as a team, often struggled to perform at the highest level, which at times hindered Lomax’s ability to showcase his talents to their full potential. Despite this, Lomax established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in the NRL. His ability to break through defensive lines, his resilience in both attack and defense, and his impressive kicking game made him a player with immense potential.
His time at the Dragons also saw Lomax develop a reputation for being a powerful and aggressive centre, often facing off against some of the best defenders in the league. While his talent was undeniable, many believed that Lomax still had a lot of room to grow and evolve into one of the NRL’s elite players. After several seasons with the Dragons, Lomax made the bold decision to move on from the club and join the Parramatta Eels in search of new challenges and opportunities to further his development.
### **The Parramatta Eels: A New Chapter for Lomax**
The decision to move to the Parramatta Eels was a significant one for Zac Lomax. Parramatta, a club with a rich history and a passionate fanbase, presented Lomax with a fresh start and the chance to play in a high-performing team that was eager to build on its recent successes. The Eels had a strong roster in 2025, with a talented forward pack, a competitive backline, and a coaching staff committed to winning a championship. For Lomax, this was an exciting opportunity to take his game to the next level and contribute to a team that was aiming for the NRL’s ultimate prize.
However, what really caught the attention of fans and the rugby league world was the decision to switch positions in the backline. While Lomax had been primarily used as a centre for the majority of his career, the Eels coaching staff made the decision to move him into a new role within the backline this season. Lomax’s positional switch would see him move away from his traditional centre role and be utilized in a more expansive attacking position. While the exact nature of the switch remained under wraps at first, it became clear that Lomax was being repositioned as a key playmaker within the team’s attacking structure.
### **The Backline Switch: Why Lomax Made the Change**
Zac Lomax’s decision to move to a new backline role did not come without significant thought and consideration. While he had enjoyed success in his previous position at centre, Lomax recognized that for him to continue growing as a player and reaching his full potential, he needed to embrace a new challenge. There were several factors that led to this decision, and Lomax has been open in discussing the reasoning behind it.
#### **1. Embracing a Greater Role in Attack**
One of the primary reasons Lomax made the switch was his desire to become more involved in the team’s attacking structure. As a centre, Lomax had always been an impactful player with the ball in hand, but he recognized that a move to a more creative role within the backline would allow him to influence the game more directly. By switching positions, Lomax hoped to expand his skillset and become more versatile, contributing not only as a powerful ball carrier but also as a playmaker capable of creating opportunities for his teammates.
The decision to move Lomax into a more central attacking position also aligned with the Eels’ desire to build a more dynamic and expansive attacking game. Lomax’s natural flair, vision, and passing ability made him an ideal candidate for this role, and the coaching staff saw the potential for him to become a key playmaker within the team’s backline. This shift allowed Lomax to not only carry the ball effectively but also link up with his teammates, creating more opportunities for the team to attack from different angles.
#### **2. Strengthening the Eels’ Backline Depth**
Another reason for Lomax’s switch was the Eels’ ongoing efforts to strengthen their backline depth. With several talented backs already at the club, the move to reposition Lomax allowed the team to balance its attacking options. By placing Lomax in a new position, the Eels were able to diversify their attack, ensuring that they had multiple threats coming from different parts of the field. Lomax’s move also allowed the Eels to maintain their physicality in the centre while utilizing Lomax’s unique skill set to unlock defensive lines in a more creative manner.
#### **3. A New Challenge for Personal Growth**
For Lomax, the backline switch also represented a personal challenge. After years of playing in the same position, Lomax was looking for a new opportunity to grow and develop his game. The change gave him the chance to learn new aspects of the game, develop his passing game further, and improve his ability to read defenses in a new way. Lomax recognized that embracing the challenge of a positional switch would allow him to take his career to new heights, both as a player and as a leader within the team.
In an interview, Lomax shared his thoughts on the switch, saying: “I’ve always believed that you have to keep challenging yourself if you want to improve. I know what I can do in the centre, but I wanted to take on more responsibility and show that I can be a leader and a creator in the backline. It’s been a great challenge so far, and I’m excited about what’s to come.”
### **Lomax’s Best Performance in His New Role**
Since making the backline switch, Zac Lomax has already begun to showcase the results of his decision. In his very first few games in his new role, Lomax has put on some of his best performances to date, highlighting both his attacking and defensive qualities in a more expansive way. His ability to read the game, make key passes, and create opportunities for his teammates has been a key feature of the Eels’ improved attacking play this season.
One of the standout moments came in a high-profile match against a top team, where Lomax’s leadership and creativity helped the Eels pull off a thrilling victory. In this match, Lomax’s well-timed passes, breakaway runs, and intelligent ball distribution were integral to the team’s success. He linked up brilliantly with his outside backs, and his ability to read the opposition defense allowed the Eels to exploit key areas of weakness. His performance was a clear indication that the positional switch was the right decision for both him and the team.
#### **Key Moments in Lomax’s New Role**
– **Creating Try Assists:** Lomax displayed his playmaking skills by setting up several tries for his teammates, demonstrating his improved passing game and vision.
– **Breaking Defensive Lines:** Lomax used his speed and agility to break through opposition defenses, making significant gains and putting the Eels in advantageous positions.
– **Defensive Work:** As always, Lomax continued to put in solid defensive performances, adding to his reputation as a complete backline player.
### **Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Zac Lomax and the Eels?**
As Zac Lomax settles into his new backline position, the future looks promising both for him personally and for the Parramatta Eels as a team. His ability to influence the game with his skill set, combined with his leadership on the field, makes him an invaluable asset to the Eels moving forward. The positional switch has already proven to be a success, and Lomax’s performances suggest that he will continue to grow in his new role.
For the Eels, the addition of Lomax as a playmaker and attacking weapon brings an added dimension to their game, allowing them to be more unpredictable and dynamic in their approach. As the season progresses, the Eels will be looking to continue building on their strong start and take full advantage of the opportunities Lomax’s positional change has created.
Zac Lomax’s journey at Parramatta is just beginning, but one thing is certain: his decision to switch positions has already paid off, and it promises to be a key factor in the Eels’ push for success in the 2025 season and beyond.
