EXCLUSIVE: Phil Gould scrutinises mystery around Zac Lomax's Dragons exit after $2.5m signing
Phil Gould believes there must be more to Zac Lomax's departure from the Dragons after Cowboys star Valentine Holmes agreed to a long-term deal with the Red V.
Following a lengthy contract saga, in April Lomax chose to end his Dragons contract to join the Eels on a cut-price four-year deal from next season.
To fill the hole left by Lomax, the Dragons this week signed Holmes on a deal reportedly worth $2.5 million over three years - similar money to what Lomax was earning.
READ MORE: Boxing's most powerful man cuts ties with Tszyu
READ MORE: 'Dictatorship': Swim star drops coach shock on TV
READ MORE: Driving force behind historic Australian gold rush
Lomax is five years younger than Holmes and was one of the best players in this year's State of Origin series, whereas the latter struggled, particularly in Queensland's game two loss.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus, Gould questioned if signing Holmes was proof the Dragons regretted letting Lomax go.
Dragons winger Zac Lomax. Getty
"It would seem like like for like, wouldn't it," he said.
"It's an interesting thought. He's certainly a great goal kicker [and] he's a match-winner, Val Holmes.
"He's a player that has got to be in and around the ball. He kind of feels wasted if he's a winger, even in the centres he doesn't like to be locked down.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
"There was a time when he exclusively wanted to be a fullback but everyone sort of came to the conclusion that maybe he is not a regular fullback at club football level."
Before this season, Lomax had played the majority of his first-grade football in the centres but has been moved to the wing under Flanagan.
Many believe his desire to play centre or fullback was behind his departure request.
With this in mind, Gould was confused as to why the Dragons granted Lomax permission to leave.
"I don't know what happened at the Dragons with Lomax," he said.
"Lomax was on an extraordinarily big deal and Lomax was pushed to the wing.
"There had to be a reason behind it, and it couldn't just be because they thought he was a good winger because that's a lot of money to be paying a winger.
"It would appear like earlier on in the year, they were quite happy for him to negotiate and go. They now realise what they were losing so they've had to go out and spend the equivalent amount of money to entice Valentine Holmes, who you would think perhaps they could consider like for like now."
The Blues' Zac Lomax catches a high ball to score a try during game two of the men's State of Origin series. Getty
Having had a breakout year with the Dragons which in turn Lomax him earn a State of Origin debut for the Blues, Gould was full of praise for the 24-year-old.
"I think Lomax has performed extraordinarily," he said.
"Lomax has proved everything I ever believed about him — that he's an Origin-class player.
"Not only did he perform well for the Dragons but he also performed well at the interstate level as well."
Gould believes Holmes is only moving back to southern Sydney to take the cash on offer, and will return to Townsville long-term.
"His preference was always to stay in Townsville," Gould said.
"He's born and raised in Townsville. When his career is over he'll go back to Townsville and live — that's where he and his wife and their extended family are.
Valentine Holmes in action for the Cowboys. Getty
"So it's business. It's best he looks elsewhere.
"He's still got a unit in Cronulla from his days when he played there and that's where he's going to live.
"St George makes sense. It's a good buy for the Dragons and Val Holmes will play out his football career there and then head back to live in Townsville."
