Zac Lomax will leave the Dragons by the end of the season at the latest.GettyLomax has been agitating for a release since being moved to the wing by Flanagan. He has had several requests for an exit this season denied.
Lomax has been on Parramatta’s radar for some time and they are keen to sign him immediately,although all attempts have been rebuffed by the Dragons so far.
Documents confirming two-thirds of Lomax’s remaining contract are to be terminated were lodged with the NRL on Tuesday.
St George Illawarra are adamant there will be “no financial contribution to be made by the club” in 2025 and 2026 to Lomax’s contract,which is worth about $800,000 a year as one of the club’s biggest earners. Lomax is the second-highest paid player at the Dragons behind skipper Ben Hunt.
“By finalising this decision now,it provides both Zac and the club with clarity regarding the future,allowing us time to strategise for the upcoming seasons,” Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said in the statement.
“This arrangement enables the Dragons to focus on refining our top 30 roster and utilising additional cap space,while Zac can pursue his future endeavours with another club.”
The Dragons have moved quickly to ensure their own rostering moves can’t be hamstrung by negotiations over Lomax leaving his contract early. Often,that situation results in a club paying a player to play for a rival long after they have left.
Flanagan has alreadymet 24-year-old Wallabies star Jordan Petaia about a potential code switch as early as next season.
Penrith’s 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year Sunia Turuva is also in the club’s sights as his management prepares to go to market after extension talks stalled with the Panthers.
The Dragons are prepared to go beyond the $350,000 Penrith are willing to offer due to salary cap restraints. Flanagan is a big admirer of Turuva and would consider him as a fullback-winger option.
St George Illawarra are the first club to express interest and want to meet with Turuva to gauge his desire to leave the three-time reigning champions. The club has also started its own extension talks with Tyrell Sloan.