Dragons coach Shane Flanagan found himself in a precarious spot following the Dragons surprise thumping of the Warriors.
A stellar performance by Zac Lomax led the Saints to the upset win with the outside back keeping himself in contention for a State of Origin spot.
It was just weeks ago that Flanagan gave Lomax permission to play elsewhere from next season after the player expressed displeasure over his positional switch from the centres to the wing.
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Ever since, he’s been on a tear, putting himself in the Origin conversation.
Flanagan opted to use Lomax on the wing this season but a concussion to Jack Bird meant Lomax was named in the centres this week, after he signed a four-year deal with Parramatta, bringing up his 100th NRL game in a 30-12 win over the New Zealand based team.
While the reported tension between Lomax and Flanagan led to the star leaving the Dragons, he filled up the stat sheet on Friday night, claiming a memorable try, two line break assists, over 150 running metres and a two-point field goal.
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Despite giving the player the green light to leave, Flanagan was complimentary in his assessment of Lomax’s play and said he would not look out of place in a Blues jersey.
“I think he needs to be discussed, let’s be fair dinkum about it. He’s the form winger and form centre. He’s just in form. In Origin you need to have players like that.
“He comes up with big plays in big moments and I think in Origin, that’s what you need.
“I think he has the temperament too as well.
“It’ll need to be a good winger or good centre to keep him out.”
Lomax will need to maintain his form, with the likes of Brian To’o and Josh Addo-Carr in contention for NSW along with Roosters star Joseph Suaalii.
He’s no stranger to Origin and was selected in the preliminary squad by former NSW coach Brad Fittler in 2020.
Asked if he Lomax would remain in the centre position ahead of Bird’s likely return for Thursday’s Anzac Day clash with the Sydney Roosters, Flanagan said: “I haven’t even thought about that to be honest, we’ll just enjoy tonight.
“He’s in good form, without a doubt, and he’s doing a good job within our footy team.”
