In form Dragon Zac Lomax continues to press his claims for a maiden Blues Origin jersey after a dazzling display against the Warriors took him to the top of the Dally M leaderboard after Round 7.
Lomax came up with 184 metres from 21 runs to go with a try, four goals and a long range two-point field goal as the Dragons stunned the Warriors 30-12 to register their fourth win of the season.
After picking up the maximum six votes against Wests Tigers in Round 6, Lomax again dominated the votes with his powerful display against the Wariors to move to 19 points, one clear of Manly's Tom Trbojevic and Bulldog Viliame Kikau.
"It will take a good winger or centre to keep Zac out [of the Blues team]," Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.
"He’s the form centre, he comes up with big plays in big moments and that’s what you need in Origin.
NRL Round Up – Round 7, 2024
"He has the right temperament to play in Origin."
Should Lomax go on to win the game's most coveted individual award he would become just the second St George Illawarra player to win the Dally M, emulating Trent Barrett in 2000.
Trbojevic also scored the full six votes in Round 7 as the Sea Eagles outlasted the Titans in an 11-try shootout while Kikau was awarded one vote as the Bulldogs continued their impressive 2024 form with a 36-12 win over Newcastle.
Another Blues Origin contender, Dylan Edwards, continued his climb up the Dally M standings with 207 run metres and 10 tackle breaks in the win over Wests Tigers in Bathurst while Dolphins youngster Isaiya Katoa also starred in Round 7 to move to 16 points in the Dally M race.
At just 20, Katoa has shown maturity beyond his years to steer the Dolphins to third on the ladder, producing five try assists, six line break assists and 77 run metres per game in his five matches in the chief playmaking role.
Dally M Leaderboard after Round 7
19 points
Zac Lomax (Dragons)
18 points
Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs)
17 points
Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
16 points
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins)
Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
15 points
Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
14 points
Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
13 points
Ben Hunt (Dragons)
12 points
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins)
Reece Walsh (Broncos)
Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)