Fantasy cash cow watch: Zac Lomax
A junior rep star, who was handed a contract extension last year, Zac Lomax made four appearances for the Dragons in 2018 but is set for a starting berth in the backs from round one this season.
With a low starting price and loads of potential, expect Lomax to be one of the most in-demand Fantasy players of 2019.
Positives
Lomax looks set to start on the wing this year following the departures of Jason Nightingale, Nene Macdonald and Kurt Mann.
He impressed in three games at centre at the end of the 2018, including two finals appearances for the Dragons. Those matches were actually his best in Fantasy terms – worth 39 and 37 points – but in the regular season he only played two matches with scores of -2 (in five minutes) and 29.
That means he starts close to base price, with a break even around 15, despite already proving he can score in the high 30s.
Five key matchups of the Dragons' 2019 draw
Negatives
Securing a full-time starting spot in the Dragons backline is Lomax's first challenge.
He's a specialist centre but will struggle to unseat experienced campaigners Euan Aitken and Tim Lafai, and there's no certainty that he'll make a spot on the wing his own – even with Nightingale and Macdonald gone.
He could face competition from another makeshift wing candidate in Matt Dufty, who is set to be bumped out of the Dragons fullback role but Gareth Widdop with Corey Norman slotting into the halves.
Even if Lomax does grab a wing spot, it's a tough place to earn big Fantasy scores unless he can rack up a lot of tackle breaks – and he only made three tackle breaks in his four appearances last season (with all three coming in a single match against the Broncos).
To buy or not to buy?
If he's a confirmed starter for round one Lomax's price and potential probably makes him too hard to pass up, and if he can get hold of a spot in the centres – either through form or injury to Aitken or Lafai – then he could be a genuine steal.
