Fergo and The Freak NRL & Rugby League Podcast · Fergo and The Freak

Zac Lomax Pumped And Dumped Himself

·1 hr 31 min·5 clips

Zac Lomax threw away half a million dollars to play rugby union in Perth—what was he thinking?

This episode of the Fergo and The Freak NRL podcast analyzes the opening round of the 2026 NRL season. Hosts Andrew Ferguson and the League Freak, both prominent rugby league analysts, dissect team performances and major news. They focus on the round's blowout scores and a significant player transfer. The hosts examine the Brisbane Broncos' 26-0 loss to the Penrith Panthers, attributing it to Brisbane's lack of a preseason and Penrith's defensive strength. They note Reece Walsh had zero involvement and was shut out of the game by the Panthers. Andrew Ferguson states the average winning margin for round one was 20 points, the sixth-highest in competition history since 1908. The pair discuss the Warriors' win over the Sydney Roosters, criticizing the Roosters' aging key players, including a 37-year-old Daly Cherry-Evans. They also cover the Cronulla Sharks' 52-10 thrashing of the Gold Coast Titans, whom they describe as terrible and in a rebuild. A surprising claim is that Zac Lomax took a massive pay cut to switch codes, moving from a reported $850,000 in the NRL to a $350,000 deal with the Western Force rugby union team. The hosts find it hilarious that Lomax is earning less to play in a competition they mock as irrelevant. They reference a tweet stating Lomax "pumped and dumped himself" financially. Another memorable moment is their mockery of a news article criticizing the Sharks for bird poo on a stadium seat, calling it pathetic journalism. They also critique the $300 million upgrade to Penrith Stadium, which includes only a partial roof they compare to useless bus stop shelters. The tone is highly conversational, irreverent, and filled with sarcastic humor aimed at players, teams, and media. The style is informal debate between two fans, featuring blunt opinions and frequent swearing. Rugby league die-hards who enjoy unfiltered, opinionated analysis and insider jokes will love this episode. Listeners seeking formal sports commentary or who are offended by strong language and mockery might want to skip it.

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