Lomax shines, Eels falter in round seven of the NRL

By: Jasper Bruce Time published 2024-04-21 at 06:36 PM (GMT +10:00)

Zac Lomax shined, Trent Robinson fumed, Samuel Stonestreet rejoiced and Parramatta floundered in round seven of the NRL season.

ZAC LOMAX of the Dragons makes a break during the match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at SCG in Sydney, Australia.
ZAC LOMAX of the Dragons makes a break during the match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at SCG in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

SNAPSHOT OF ROUND SEVEN OF THE NRL SEASON

PLAYER OF THE ROUND: Zac Lomax reminded St George Illawarra what they'll be missing next season with a superb performance in the Dragons' upset defeat of the Warriors. Back in his preferred centre position, the Parramatta recruit iced a 42-metre two-point field goal, booted four goals and soared through the air to grab Ben Hunt's bomb for a try.

QUOTE OF THE ROUND: "Did he lend weight to the play? Yes he did. It's not that hard. It was really clear." Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson was none too pleased that Eli Katoa's try stood on Thursday night after his Melbourne teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona appeared to push the second-rower over the line. The four-pointer proved pivotal as the Storm ran out 18-12 winners.

TALKING POINT: Where does Jamal Fogarty's long-term bicep problem leave Canberra, and how does Kalyn Ponga's latest injury worry affect Newcastle? Fogarty provides vital experience to the Raiders' spine, which is now likely to call on a green halves combination of Kaeo Weekes and Ethan Strange. The Knights have been inconsistent to begin the year, struggling to settle on a halves combo, so the last thing they needed was for a foot injury to strike the talismanic Ponga down against Canterbury.

MAGIC MOMENT: After Jesse Ramien tapped back Braydon Trindall's cross-field kick, NRL debutant Samuel Stonestreet found himself with the ball and sprinting to the tryline at Shark Park. A local junior, and a Cronulla tragic in his youth, the winger dived over in the corner where his friends and family had gathered to attend his first game. The Sharks eventually ran out 42-6 winners over North Queensland.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Manly's 34-30 defeat of Gold Coast represented Des Hasler's 13th consecutive loss as head coach across the start of his stint at the Titans and the end of his tenure with the Sea Eagles in 2022.

CASUALTY WARD: Raiders - Jamal Fogarty (bicep); Knights - Kalyn Ponga (hip pointer/foot), Tom Jenkins (knee); Dane Gagai (calf); Tigers - Junior Tupou (foot); Eels - Daejarn Asi (head knock); Panthers - Dylan Edwards (leg); Bulldogs - Chris Patolo (knee)

JUDICIARY WATCH: Bulldogs - Drew Hutchison (dangerous contact - tripping), Kurtis Morrin (dangerous contact), Reed Mahoney (melee); Knights - Jack Hetherington (melee)

UNDER PRESSURE: Coach Brad Arthur accused Parramatta of being a "part-time footy team" who "gave up" in the 44-16 loss to the undermanned Dolphins. The 14th-placed side has lost three of four games since star halfback Mitch Moses suffered his foot injury and things aren't about to get any easier - Manly, Brisbane and Melbourne await in the next month.