DRAGONS sensation Zac Lomax makes no secret of his desire to one day make his mark at fullback, but he's not rushing that shift just four games into his NRL career.
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The 19-year-old was a standout junior in the No. 1 jumper, but made his NRL debut on the wing last season before finishing the year in the centres.
That three-game cameo, that included two finals appearances, came after regular right centre Euan Aitken injured his hamstring.
He's likely to return there in 2019, with Lomax tipped to fill the void left by the retirement of stalwart Jason Nightingale on the flank.
It's a role he's happy to play in the interim as he continues his top-grade apprenticeship.
“Fullback would be my favourite position but as a young bloke you've got to understand the demands of the NRL and the toll it can take on your body and mentally,” he said.
“I came through the junior ranks playing fullback and having my hands on the ball a little bit more than you do out on the edge.
“I'd like to play there down the track but to be thrown in at fullback at a younger age is a bit more of an ask. Hopefully one day but you can only do what's best for the team at the moment.”
That has meant splitting his time between centre and wing through the preseason, the latter proving a learning curve.
“I've been training half and half, a lot at centre and a lot at wing, and they're two completely different positions these days,” he said.
“I'm more confident at centre than I am at wing so I've been trying to learn the game as a winger a little bit better.
“There's some quality centres here that have been good for the last three-four years so the spot's not going to be given to any of us.
“I'd like to be able to play centre but, at the same time, you've got to do what’s best for the team and whether Mary [coach Paul McGregor] wants me to play wing or centre I'm happy.”
As for who earns the No. 1 for the opening round of the season, Lomax says it remains a mystery with incumbent Matt Dufty, skipper Gareth Widdop and new recruit Corey Norman all solid options for McGregor.
"There's obviously a fair few players there fighting for the No. 1 position,” Lomax said.
“I couldn't tell you who's going to be there, obviously Duft had a good end to the season last year and Gaz has played for his country at No. 1 and he's our skipper.
“That's obviously up to Mary and whatever's best for the team, but I'm really confident that whoever gets that spot will do the job.”
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Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
