It’s no secret that entering the Suncorp Stadium cauldron wearing a blue jersey brings with it an atmosphere like no other in Rugby League.
But while some might shy away from the intense pressure of a sold-out Ampol State of Origin decider, Westpac NSW Blues winger Zac Lomax takes the opposite approach.
“I just love chasing the ball,” Lomax said.
“I’ve probably spoken a few times about competing but I just love it.
“I just love the buzz and the feeling that it (pressure) gives you."
The Temora junior has a pair of Origin appearances to his name yet he’s already come up with some high-pressure moments of his own – three tries, then five-from-seven off the boot having assumed the goal-kicking duties in Game Two at the MCG.
The most memorable of those so far was his spectacular overhead mark – not far from the forward pocket – off a Mitchell Moses kick, but his aerial expertise has plenty of practice behind it.
“I think you practise it all the time, you just try and put yourself in positions as many times as you can and hopefully you come down with it when you get an opportunity,” Lomax explained.
“Everything’s about repetition and doing everything over and over again.
“So when you talk about pressure, you don’t feel it too much and you just go at there and you play footy because you love it and it’s what you do.
“I pride myself on being able to put myself in those positions and, you know, hopefully we come down with the ball."
The added task of being the goal-kicker is just another part of the game that Lomax is keen to take on with a hostile crowd.
“It’s going to be a task (blocking out the noise) but it’s one that we’re all going to be up for.
“Nothing sort of changes, obviously with the atmosphere there’s a little bit more chaos going on.
“Obviously the occasion’s a little bit bigger, but it’s one we’re going to be up for.”
