The Temora product has long been touted for big things having starred for NSW and Australia in the junior ranks. The raps continued when he was thrust into the finals cauldron just three games into his NRL career last season.

It saw him head into 2019 with far greater expectations placed on his shoulders. It's what comes from such high praise but the 19-year-old insists he's taking it in his stride.

"That kind of [praise] should just give you confidence," Lomax said.

"The last thing you want to do as a young bloke is go out there and put more pressure on yourself. You've just got to believe in yourself and know that you're there for a reason.

"You've got to back your preparation knowing all the hard work you've put in over the years.

"It's definitely good to have comments like that put on you and have a coaching staff that believes in you. You've just got to back yourself because you wouldn't be there if the coaching staff or your teammates didn't believe in you."

It's been a much tougher grind in his second top-grade stint, with the Dragons 4-7 and currently 13th on the ladder after 12 rounds.

He might not be feeling heightened scrutiny on the personal front, but his side is certainly under the microscope heading into Monday's clash with the Bulldogs.

"There's obviously been a fair bit of talk about our team not performing as well as we can," Lomax said.

"Every team in the NRL are unbelievable. There's so many good players in the NRL these days and every team on their day is so hard to beat so you've got to be on top of your game week after week.

"You've got to be doing all your preparation, everything that's involved behind the scenes because sometimes on paper we should go out there and win but there's so many times where, if you not producing your best performance, teams just put you away.

"We've got to be better at putting 80-minute performances together, every minute every play.

"We got to get away for a week there and think that definitely does a lot for the team physically and mentally as well. We know what we've got to work on and I'm confident we can get a job done this week."

Lomax got his first crack in his preferred No. 1 jumper in the Dragons last start against Cronulla, but will shift back to right centre this week following an injury to Tim Lafai. It's one of several positional shifts he's made this season, but he says it's role he's happy to fill.

"It's a little bit frustrating but at the same time I'm not disappointed," he said.

"I can definitely learn a lot out of the performance we had the other week and to get a fair few carries in my legs at fullback was a big learning curve. I can take a lot from that game.

"I'm confident going back to centre I can still do a job there for the team and that's what we're expected to do. It's a bit tough knowing you've got a few key guys out but we're professional athletes and we're expected to a job for the team."

"Whatever situation we're thrown into we're expected to put a good performance in and take whatever opportunity we're given."