Dragons star Zac Lomax considered a big learning moment in his career with his former teammate Tyson Frizell after an incident that was labeled «absolutely garbage» by Fox League’s Andrew Voss.
The 23-year-old jumped onto the back of Newcastle’s back rower as he celebrated his team’s 21-6 victory over the Knights in the 6th Round.
Lomax thought back to that moment, and if he had time again, he wouldn’t have lured one of his «good friends» to the controversial tryout celebration.
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«Dude, Frizell is one of my good friends and I debuted alongside him, I’ve been his locker friend since I first came to class,» Lomax told Foxsports.com.au.
«I love Frizz (Frizell) and respect him so much that I think what he did in the game, I love him and he’s also a really good family man.
«I’ve talked about it a million times by now… but as I said, you live and you learn.
“It wasn’t caused by any malicious intent, you just look at it the way you learned and perceived it and don’t do it again.
«But that’s ridiculous, my friend.»
The Dragons have not played finals football since 2018 and have come under constant fire for below-average performances.
Coach Anthony Griffin came under scrutiny for failing to place Red V in the top eight in his two years in office.
The 56-year-old’s contract also expires at the end of 2023, and Lomax has made it clear where the club belongs: playing final football.
«I know the history of the club, it’s really rich, it has a lot behind it, I’m a veteran now and I want nothing more than to get the team back where it belongs.»
“(Finals football) is exactly where it needs to be… it’s always about competing and being good people off the field.
“There is no session where we come to train and we try to be better individuals, not just better football players.
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«There’s clearly been a few setbacks in the media, that’s life, things happen, we learn from it and move on and as men we look at it, we look at it in the face and we become better people.»
Lomax deserved to be called to the Blues extended roster in 2020, but has yet to make Brad Fittler’s debut for the NSW Blues.
Fittler has long been a fan of the Temora native, and Lomax plans to return to the roster and beat out players like Stephen Crichton, Campbell Graham and Kotoni Staggs for a spot on the roster.
«That’s always the plan, you always want to play representative football, but I just want to do the best I can with the basics,» Lomax said.
«I want to be the best player at the fundamentals, I want to be able to do those regularly, and that also comes from being the best coach.
«I think it’s a clear focus, being in front of me, and I was probably thinking a little too much last year.
«I’m probably just trying to exaggerate a little bit, I kind of reduced it, I know what I need to do this year and I have a clearer focus on what I need to do for the team.
«I’m trying to be the best teammate I can.»
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