Less may be more as Zac Lomax prepares to chase a dream, not money
Even if he makes a successful transition to rugby union and plays for the Wallabies, the 26-year-old would almost certainly have earned more staying in the NRL.
In an era when professional athletes are portrayed as mercenaries chasing the almighty dollar, the curious case of Zac Lomax is a reminder that sometimes less can be more.
Lomax could be earning close to $1 million next year if he were still contracted to St George Illawarra.
He had a deal with the Dragons for 2026, reported to be worth $875,000, and he could likely have supplemented that with match payments at representative level: $30,000 for a State of Origin appearance and $3000 for a Test.
Yet, more than 12 months ago, Lomax sought a release, and the Dragons agreed to terminate the final two years of his deal, allowing him to accept a four-season offer from Parramatta.
Players agitating to leave a club for richer rewards elsewhere is nothing new.
What made Lomax’s move to the Eels intriguing was that he was apparently content to accept a 20 per cent pay cut, dropping to about $700,000 a season.
Zac Lomax has established himself as one of the NRL’s elite wingers in recent seasons.Credit: Getty Images
Now, after just one year in the blue and gold, Lomax has again secured a release, in a move that appears likely to culminate in him switching codes to rugby union.
Initially, there was talk the 26-year-old was in the sights of the rebel Rugby 360 competition, which has since deferred its proposed launch date until 2028.
That leaves him to ponder two-year deals tabled by Super Rugby franchises the ACT Brumbies and Western Force.
Were Lomax to sign a Super Rugby maximum contract of $220,000 a year and then play all the Wallabies’ 2026 Test matches (a very unlikely scenario), he would stand to earn almost $400,000. A top-up deal from Rugby Australia, which is no guarantee, could further boost his earnings.
It could be a case of short-term pain for long-term financial gain because if Lomax can establish himself with the Wallabies and perform well at a World Cup, it could open up lucrative opportunities, such as playing in Japan, France or with R360, if that gets off the ground.