Zac Lomax pleads case for NSW Origin return in impressive return with the Parramatta Eels
Zac Lomax sent a clear message to NSW selectors on return for the Eels as he proved a short stint on the sidelines due to injury is not enough to slow his talent on the field.
Having been out of action since round five due to a foot injury, Lomax had just 80 minutes against the Knights to plead his case to return to the Origin arena.
The winger was quick to make his mark in Newcastle, putting 16 points on the board by himself in the Eels' 28-6 win over the Knights.
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Moments after converting the try-scoring efforts of Mitchell Moses, a fellow Blues hopeful, Lomax was sent the ball out wide and dived over for his 50th career try in the first half.
"Lomax does enormously well, he had to reach up really high to get that pass," Steve Roach said of the try on Fox League.
"What a finish, beautiful stuff."
Zac Lomax celebrates scoring a try. Fox League
The 25-year-old continued to dominate on the edge as he put Knights debutant Fletcher Hunt to the test, with the Eels looking to extend their lead through Lomax.
Although, no attempts in the final minutes of the first half were successful.
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Returning for the final 40 in the lead for the first time this season, a slick pass from Will Penisini saw Lomax charge over the top of Hunt to score his second of the match.
The try was considered contentious by Fox League's commentary as Penisini appeared to have bobbled the ball before finding Lomax.
"I think he's knocked that on," Roach said Penisini's pass.
"I thought he did a great job to get his foot to it... but it doesn't look like he picked that up cleanly."
A review by the Bunker did not state any knock on in the build up to the play as Lomax lined up to successfully convert his own efforts.
Fletcher Hunt of the Knights makes a hit up. Getty
Errors by the home side continued to dampen Dane Gagai's 300th game celebrations as Dylan Brown and Jordan Samrani powered over to score.
Marching orders for Newcastle's Kai Pearce-Paul saw Lomax slot another two points.
Newcastle snatched their first points in the 76th minute through James Schiller before a bomb kick on the stroke of full time was collected in goal by Lomax to end the match.
"Any time he is in our side he gives the boys a lot of confidence. He is a fantastic player," Moses said of Lomax post-match on Fox League.
Lomax will learn if he is selected for game one of the 2025 State of Origin series after round 11 is completed, with teams set to be confirmed by Monday.
