Parramatta's Zac Lomax struggles in new center role

Parramatta Eels' new recruit, Zac Lomax, is experiencing a tough start to his season. After joining from the Dragons, Lomax aimed to return to playing in the centers, despite having success on the wing in the past. His move followed a conflict with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, where Lomax felt he was pushed out of his desired position. Lomax's defensive skills have been criticized in the opening rounds of the season. In the first round against the Storm, he struggled defensively, leading to questions about his placement on the team. In the second round against the Tigers, he faced a similar situation, which contributed to the team's poor performance. NRL experts, including legend Cooper Cronk, found Lomax's positional switch strange. They noted a lack of clarity on whether the change was Lomax's or coach Jason Ryles' decision. Matty Johns supported Lomax but raised concerns about how it affects rookie players, who are still adapting to the team. The Eels are dealing with a difficult situation. Several experienced players have left, and the team has many young rookies who may be overwhelmed. The absence of key players like Mitchell Moses adds to their challenges. Cronk emphasized that team captain Junior Paulo needs to take more responsibility and lead the team amid these struggles. Overall, the Eels are facing significant difficulties early in the 2025 season, with questions about strategy and player development.