Dragons 2019: Lomax out to make starting spot his own in Eels showdown

Dubbed 'the gifted one' by NSW coach Brad Fittler, Lomax made his NRL debut from the bench in round 10 last season before playing his side's final three games at right centre after Euan Aitken succumbed to a hamstring injury.

It saw him finish the season with four first grade appearances to his name, two of them in the finals arena, as the Dragons reached the second week of the post-season.

He never looked out of place in the top grade but still returned for preseason behind Aitken and Tim Lafai in the pecking order, with his first four appearances of 2019 coming from the bench in a utility role.

It left plenty to question whether he was being under-utilised by coach Paul McGregor's, but Lomax said it was role he embraced.

"It's been really good. I've really enjoyed playing different positions and understanding the game from a different perspective," Lomax said.

"To be thrown in in different circumstances during the game has been an eye-opener but I've enjoyed every second I've been on the field.

"It's been a massive learning curve being chucked into the middle there and at crucial points in the game too. I've been put in there due to injuries, coming on there at the end of games.

"We won a couple by a field goal by Normy at the end and it was good to be a part of. It's definitely something I've taken a lot out of."

He was promoted to the starting 13 on the right wing for last week's Anzac Day clash, grabbing a second-half try and a goal in a tough 20-10 defeat to the Roosters.

It prompted a selection shift from McGregor ahead of Sunday's match against Parramatta, with Aitken benched to make way for Lomax on the right edge. Lomax plans to make it the first step in locking down the No. 3 jumper fulltime.

"Obviously [starting's] a good feeling, it's what I've hoped for," Lomax said.

"I feel for Euan but, at the end of the day, it's up to Mary [coach Paul McGregor] and what he sees is best for the team.

"Euay and Laf are unbelievable players. I've been sitting behind them for a while. I think the best way you can go about it is to be a sponge and just soak up as much as you can from them.

"I just had to bide my time and do a role for the team. Mary wanted me to come off the bench and to just be ready to go whenever. I was happy to do that.

"I just had to prepare the best I could for all those weeks and [this week] I'll still just be doing my job for the team. Hopefully I can go out there and do that on Sunday we come away with the win as well."

Sunday's clash sets up a showdown with Test and Origin veteran Michael Jennings, though Lomax won't be over-awed after being thrown in the finals deep end last season.

"I can take a lot of confidence out of that but you wouldn't be in this situation if you coaching staff and teammates didn't have confidence in you," he said.

"As soon as I go out on the park I know my teammates have got faith in me. I'm confident I can do a job for the team and I'm more than confident the guys beside me are going to help me every minute of the game."