Eels supporters have been waiting for this day and now we can finally say it.
Zac Lomax has arrived in PARRAdise.
It was as recent as early November that Parra’s highest profile recruit for 2025 completed the longest and most physically demanding season of his career to date with his first Origin series and then the post season internationals. In my opinion, the Eels needed Lomax to be freshened up before he joined the squad for our 2025 campaign.
Eels media image of day one for Zac Lomax
First impression? After watching Lomax close up at training, I find it difficult to accept his listed playing weight.
This bloke is a powerful unit. His height of 190cm (6’3”) would be accurate, but he definitely looks heavier than 94kg.
As for day one as an Eel, he was straight into building his combinations with new team mates. During an opposed drill, he showcased his footwork in beating his opponent to break the line.
In fact, it was interesting that he was immediately joining in the opposed footy, given that he’s had zero time in which to learn any shapes or calls.
Lomax meets champion Eels supporter Fletch
At the end of the session, he was one of a group of players that interacted with supporters who had been watching training. It probably could not have been a better introduction to the Eels.
The early work for Lomax and other backs in today’s session saw them run through their tackle evasion skills. From there the squad drilled their passing, including improvised hand offs to supports.
Next, time was dedicated to kick returns, with the back three in each team practising their pendulum movement. For anyone unfamiliar with this term, it refers to the movement of the fullback and wingers as they take the best positions to cover whether the kick was heading to the left, the right, or down the middle.
Opposed drill
After catching the ball, the receiving team worked into their yardage carries against the kick chase team, before teams swapped roles. I thought the work of Joash Papali’i at fullback was outstanding.
The opposed that followed had a couple of notable moments including Arthur Miller-Stephen cutting through the defence line and Dylan Brown engineering a smart left edge play.
A brief “change of pace” saw a number of backs hit their sprints before it was back to drilling support play through the middle.
More opposed work took the team towards the end of the session. A Will Penisini break featured in a try finished off by Joash Papali’i.
More opposed drills
Later, a terrific kick out of dummy half by Ryley Smith saw the receiving team pinned down on their own line as a result.
Finally, a thanks to all of the players who came over for a very quick hello with the supporters in attendance today. It was much appreciated by everyone, especially as it was completely unexpected.
These are not open training sessions, and it should be made clear that such interactions aren’t necessarily possible. There is no time set aside for meet and greets. It’s their workplace and they have a busy schedule to adhere to for the day. If you ever drop in, please don’t do so with expectations of meeting the players.
In fact, until the construction is finished in late March, there aren’t any facilities for Kellyville to host visitors. Anyone who has popped in to check out a session would be nodding in agreement as they read this. That said, when the complex is completed, it might even be a venue for organised open sessions.
With that in mind, let me give a plug to this Saturday’s Member Appreciation event at Eric Tweedale Stadium at Granville. Along with the family friendly activities, you’ll be able to catch a full Eels training session and meet the players.
Please make sure you register for the event (see your emails) as it is for Eels members only.
Eels forever!
Sixties
“Zac Lomax has arrived in PARRAdise”. I grew up believing in Santa. It is true, there is a Santa, and he listens and does deliver.
You’ve obviously been a good lad this year Graz!
Hey Sixties, I don’t thank for for every report so let this one be generic and include all future posts. Always appreciate your work. It’s truly great service to fans of this mighty club. Thank you and thank you.
Cheers mate. Glad to be able to post these reports.
The Club has announced the signing of Kitione Kautoga to our Development squad 2025 and Top 30 in 2026.
I assume this means that one of our Development squad has been up-graded (or left).
Can you shed any light on this?
Not at the moment Leigh. I’ll see if the club can elaborate.
Charlie Guymer has been added to the eels profile list on the website so I assume he has been promoted to top 30. He was not on it originally. The other development players are not listed on the website.
I can’t comment on that at the moment.
Everyone is asking/lamenting where is Lomax.. Why hasn’t he showed? Well he is here and why should we rejoice?
Lomax has arrived, it appears, in good health and ready to rumble. That’s the good news that should warm our football hearts. Two months ago everyone looked to doom and gloom – RCG, the King, Blaize went without any glory, the laziest but best scoring winger departed along with a few others. We are embracing new horizons and it’s all starting to come together. Early days but promising. I am sticking to my prediction of a top eight. Mr Sixties keeps tantalizing our hopes with his insightful training reports whetting our appetite for an early start to the season. Bring it on because we are coming along for the ride.
Now on the negative aspect – we finally get rid of Darwin and they “the brains trust” bring in PNG. I cannot say that is a positive news. If you thought Darwin was murder then Port Moresby will be a slaughter house. This is purely a political move with very little thought to player welfare. To overcome it a roofed stadium is the only way to go. The obvious answer is a divided or regional competition like the NFL with all the interstate teams linked to one region while the greater Sydney metro area another region. I like it! By the way – it’s only a suggestion – no need to get hot under the collar.
How dare you make a suggestion Zero. I’m fuming mate.
The logistics around PNG’s inclusion will be critical. I think there are positives but yes the conditions will be taxing.
Mr Sixties, it not like I was abusive. It’s a forum where you allow a freedom of ideas and thoughts. This is just my opinion which I gave considerable thought.
It is a political decision – you can’t deny that! I am somewhat surprised and taken back you are fuming. To be honest I don’t know why. There is apparently a government clause that would allow withdrawal of financial support. If that is not political then we live on different planets.
There was no disrespect in my comments and I would think you misunderstood my concern for player welfare. How would this be better playing up there than Darwin. Mr Sixties it would be considerably worse. You should re-think your words and my concerns.
If only you could have heard my voice in your head Zero. I was agreeing with you and playing along with your final comment about anybody getting hot under the collar from you making a suggestion. Because as you expressed, conditions and logistics will present some problems.
Mr Sixties, I can’t believe I didn’t pick up your vibe. My bad.
Cheers