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It is official. Zac Lomax is gone. So where to now? Sixties and Forty20 share their immediate thoughts on the matter and where Jason Ryles and the Parramatta now need to pivot to for 2026.
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It was said from Ryles mate Anasta weeks back that he was more or less going
He would not have said that without strong information to support that claim
Simmo is a good winger but we ultimately need another outside back now
Who else is a versatile outside back we can sign? Who can convert goals besides Moses?
Interesting times ahead 🥲
P.s if we sign a few good players as a result of this in personally not worried … but we never seem to e able to get cream of the crop unless there’s luck involved
There is a glaring hole in backline depth. Would we better served with a couple of decent quality depth signings rather than a big gun back?
That’s the issue for me Muz, we never seem to recruit any marquee players so I’m not sure even with cap room what we get.
Bailey is a good winger, I’m ok with him filling it. Could we target a strike centre? Any available?
This is part of our issue – we allegedly do not offer 3rd party benefits close to what many top teams offer
So much like the Fox & Lomax signing situations we got them as “distressed assets” or “unhappy employees” in Lomax situation where they just wanted out .. and Fox got fired and was nearly unwanted elsewhere
All we can hope is that Jason Ryles see a suitable back up within our ranks like a Richie Penisni, or a Joash Papalii as back up wing if market can’t provide us with any other options
Bailey S is a good meters winger but defensively average at times, very injury prone
Ideally a mid market versatile outside back like some of the names the really mentioned on the podcast as well because realistically if history shows anything Bailey is likely to get injured in 2026 and miss games
Joash Papalii can defend at 5/8 & hooker – can we get him at wing to as speed to our kick returns? If he can defend in the middle of the field he can learn to defend on the wing (you have to think)
I’m personally leaning towards Richie Penisini and Joash Papalii being wing options behind Simo … if we cannot sign a additional outside back before 2026 season
It might become that Muz, perhaps opportunity comes early for a pathways player, but I think signing an NRL experienced player or two is essential
There is a decent experienced centre available right now…
He has a 2026 contract but has been told that he can go now if he finds a new home and is looking at super league …
Brian Kelly. Still only 29 and massively experienced.
Would be perfect in the centres at the Eels.
I used to rate Kelly. Not so sure now. You still think he cuts it Spark?
Personally I think he’s in the doldrums up there on the coast.
A lot of players have fallen into it up there.
Yes he’s not blue chip but massively experienced.
Still has a turn of speed and is a decent defender.
I’d rather have Ruben Garrick to be honest as I really rate him as a footballer but he’s not going anywhere next year.
Charlo, is your concern Russell or Penisini? As I said above, do we need a gun back a a couple of decent depth backs? Are there any gun backs available? Not off contract now. Maybe we could grab a 2027 recruit and shake him loose early.
Sixties, I am more thinking Russell, I like the kid but hes not a strike centre, do we need someone like a Bradman Best or Staggs? Or can we win a comp with the backline as is?
I take the boys point that we lost players of more significance (long term) the previous year and improved, son in Ryles we trust.
I would though just say to the notion that this has been coming for a while and the club have had time to be out there scouting… Just measure your expectations.
It isn’t Ryles fault that the club has no outside backs with NRL experience in NSW Cup now, but he is working with those same people who caused the holes in the roster we have.
Better bet will be to just hope the Improvement he got out of Penisini and Russell (who is still a fringe first grade IMO), doesn’t stop at 2025. Just sucks having to rely on hope.,
Russell, much to the surprise of many fans, is no longer fringe. He is now without doubt an NRL player in the fullest sense. I’m happy to admit I was wrong about Russell. Full credit to him. These things don’t happen by chance, so I applaud his dedication and hard work, along with undoubtedly the right attitude.
Graz and BA, I’m backing Sean to continue to develop as a quality back. His confidence would be at a high after 2025.
Massive loss to replace in such short time. No one of significant quality with first grade experience is coming here to be a potential backup to Simmonson and ado carr.
We either need to take a risk and poach a real young prospect with a temptation of a first grade contract or play on averillo wanting to be back in Sydney because although not a blue chip winger is extremely versatile and is an out and out first grader if Simmonson or ado carr go down
For mine Averillo would be ideal.
The stark reality is that we have absolutely no depth in the backs.
Simonson is getting older and always seems injured (I hear that he is suffering a hamstring complaint now… Is that right ? ).
We just don’t have a NRL quality centre/ winger anywhere in the club that can step up and replace Lomax and /or Simonson.
We are apparently all in on grabbing NAS and perhaps Keaon (which won’t be until 2027 anyway) but I can’t recall our backline depth being this bereft of talent for years.. there is simply nothing there.
I haven’t heard about the hamstring issue. I’ll see what can be learnt this week.
Our best yardage player leaves. Simmonson comes in who is bog average at best. We have no one with nrl experience in nsw cup. We lack a strike centre and instead have will penisini who is a slow centre with bad defence. We need at least two backline players and two forwards but I’m concerned that there isn’t much on the market for 26. I don’t think lomax’s yardage game can be reproduced so we will struggle big time coming out of own end with fox who doesn’t make metres + simonsson who runs sideways and/or is injured. Our junior backline stocks also seem poor – can’t recall the last time who developed a blue chip winger or centre. Tough go for Ryles but he’s got to play the hand dealt
I think we’ve been well off for first grade wingers over recent years, though fluctuating form and injuries exposed depth issues each season. I can’t disagree that as the roster currently stands, we are in strife with one injury. Two or more would be a disaster. We will soon see what has been happening behind the scenes.
Disappointing but as the club have indicated since ryles arrived, if you don’t wanna be here then leave, we’ll be good without ya.
At the end of the day players have short careers and I won’t blame lomax for chasing the money and setting himself and his family up for the better for the future. Hopefully means we can get keaon koloamatangi, his ceiling as a middle is crazy high, versatility of Jack wiliams and I doubt he’s even trained as an out an out middle for a whole pre season yet, Paulo had a great year but I don’t think we have identified an ‘alpha’ to take over for him over the next few years with alot of young talent still developing.
For an immediate signing its crazy to me that Tommy talau is still uncontracted as far as I’m aware, turned himself into a great centre/winger at manly and their fans were fuming when it was announced he wouldn’t be resigning. Worst case scenario we have an nrl experienced player to cover for injury, best case he comes and works hard and earns a spot in the backs.
Otherwise I’d keep an eye out at the phins, they seem to be overflowing with talented backs right now so I wouldn’t be surprised if an averillo or tevita naufahu becomes available.
It’ll take time but I believe ryles and the club are building a strong club culture and identity which will make players want to come to us rather then us chasing them all the time.
I’m all for the club culture that Ryles is building. But our issue isn’t just depth, it’s pure numbers so signings have to be made. I think Talau has a new home (Roosters?)
I think this will leave a bigger hole than we think, as Zac demanded on lot of attention from opposition sides, and we lacked that punch in the early carries off our line before he arrived, let’s wait for the news over the coming weeks on who the club signs, i am sure they have something in the pipeline as you don’t let an origin player leave without having a plan b,
Will rely on your expertise here sixties, we must have plenty of dollars remaining in our salary cap, as the exodus of players let go over the past year on $600k plus and the new talent sign does not add up?
There are over 500 top 30 NRL players and of course it had to be one of two rep players we have that jumped ship first.
We just can’t seem to roll into a new season without drama and disruption.
Zac is big loss but he wasn’t without his flaws, as the boys said, his most valuable asset was his strength under the high ball but that was rarely on show in 2025, teams worked out a way to stop him and most times he would giveaway a seven tackle set in the process.
Zac played tougher than he did smarter, his yardage work was enormous, I think we’ll miss that most about Zac. His defensive reads were suspect at times, often running in or out of his line.
I guess if all our hopes and dreams of winning a premiership hinged on a winger then I’d say we’re in big trouble.
I hope the club can pull a rabbit out of their hats and sign at least two quality outside backs. We can’t afford to waste another season. 2026 should be our prelim for the big dance in 2027.
Impressive show gents, as soon as I heard the news, I switched over to YouTube. It was just the therapy I needed. Thank you
I’m hoping the club can turn this into an opportunity with at least one astute signing. I also hope the club didn’t allow someone to break a contract without reasonable compensation. I’m sure if the club suddenly stopped paying Lomax, Anasta would be on the phone squawking with lawyers hovering, but it sounds like Ryles preferred an orderly separation.
Sonny Bill was forced to pay &450,000 compensation when breaking his contract at the Dogs.
How ever long ago that was.
Slim him down and work on some speed and big Jordan Samrani has a crack on the wing
Is Nawene Hiroti signed or unsigned? I’m hearing both. We need someone quickly for this season then maybe chase the high value on contract player.
That’s not a bad idea because we seem to have a sufficient number of forwards. I hope we sign NAS.
Averillo can play any and every position in the backs. He smart and quick and defends well.
I saw a photo shot of AMS and his stature reminds me a little bit of Greg Inglis. He big and quick and should make an ideal replacement. I think Mr Sixties suggested he is unsigned. The trouble with Bailey S is he does run hard coming out and can make meters which seems to contribute to his injuries. He is a good fill in. It’s my understanding we have some quality backs coming out of JF. Let’s have a look at them as they set themselves up in the reggies.
Jaxon Purdue anyone?
I’m sorry I posted this in the training section whereas it should be part of this discussion.
Absolutely devastated in losing Lomax, he is irreplaceable in this team considering what he offers.
Also disappointed that his contract was not enforced and could not help but think that Jim Saratinos was distancing himself from the decision by openly saying it was Ryles choice and the board supported his decisions.
Ther are situations whereas the coach can and needs to be overruled unless there are circumstances we do not understand. I fear something like that has happened!
It is very easy for anyone to say we don’t want someone here that doesn’t want to be!
That’s nice rhetoric but this is a professional game, what message does this say to anyone that wants to exit their contract.
The reality is that we cannot just go out and buy another “Lomax” as they don’t exist in that format. We have only a few players of that standing and the positions that he covers are probably the weakest we have in our junior and back up processes.
This should have been explained to Lomax and that we would look for someone possibly in the next 12 months but sorry Zac, we cannot afford to lose you now!
In the interim he has a great effect on our chances this year and I believe outside of the rhetoric that morale within the whole structure from Moses down will be affected.
Can’t smooth this one over Craig, this is a disaster!