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Important SN update for SouthlandWhy Lomax won't change goal-kicking for Origin III
Jasper Bruce, AAP • July 3rd, 2025 1:45 pm
Zac Lomax won't be changing his goal-kicking technique for the State of Origin decider in Sydney | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Zac Lomax has vowed not to change anything about his goal-kicking for the State of Origin decider, despite a costly performance in NSW's tight game-two loss.
NSW scored five tries to Queensland's four in Origin II but lost by two points as Lomax landed only two of five shots at goal replacing a sore Nathan Cleary.
It denied NSW the chance to seal a series win in Perth and followed a wayward performance from both Cleary and Lomax in Origin I, when the pair hit one of five attempts between them.
Goal-kicking proved costly in the Blues' narrow loss in State of Origin II | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Cleary entered camp for game three having not kicked at goal since suffering his groin injury at the captain's run for Origin II, handing duties to Dylan Edwards in Penrith's win last Thursday.
Coach Laurie Daley told SEN on Monday night it was likely Lomax would take duties for the sold-out decider in Sydney on July 9.
"I doubt whether (Cleary) will goal-kick," Daley said.
"I think we'll go with Zac, and Latrell (Mitchell) or Steve Crichton will be on stand-by if something happens to Zac."
Daley's show of faith won't prompt Lomax to rethink his approach, despite the costliness of his performance last time.
"You just keep kicking. For me, nothing changes from my routine," he told AAP.
"Sometimes you kick really, really well and sometimes things don't go your way."
Laurie Daley says it is unlikely Nathan Cleary will resume goal-kicking responsibilities | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Lomax was pleased with the way he struck the ball kicking for goal in Origin II, with wild weather in Perth playing its part in the misses.
Across his two club games since Origin II, Lomax has landed a commendable eight of 10 shots at goal, with the 25-year-old also kicking all three attempts in a tense decider last year.
It's meant Lomax will keep the faith in his abilities for Origin III.
"I'm always feeling confident going over the ball and nothing changes. I'm always trying to strike the ball the exact same, but sometimes it's conditions or whatever it is," Lomax said.
"It just wasn't meant to be (in Origin II).
"That's just the way it is, that's goal-kicking. It's something that I love and I've always done it from a young age.
"Last year was good, I managed to kick really well in the series last year and I missed a couple last game. It sets itself up for a really good game three."
Zac Lomax and Nathan Cleary are gearing up for the State of Origin decider | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
For the famously fastidious Cleary, the hardest thing about recovering from his groin injury has been resisting the urge to return to the training park to practise goal-kicking.
But during a string of soft-tissue injuries in recent years, Cleary has learned that training too enthusiastically can be counter-productive.
"It's probably been the hardest thing I've had to do, just trying to find the right balance of doing enough but not doing too much and trying to substitute physical reps for mental reps," he said.
"I'm still obviously learning and trying to get better at it. I think I'm definitely better than I was this time last year. It's a tough thing to balance."
