Timeline
2 April 2024 — Lomax officially granted a released from his long-term contract with St George Illawarra Dragons for 2025 and 2026. [1]
16 April 2024 — Official announcement: Lomax's signs four-year contract with the Eels for 2025 to 2028. [2]
30 Sept 2025 — Braith Anasta claims Lomax is R360 bound on NRL360 and his podcasts. [3]
- Anasta: “I’ve been doing bit of digging around and talking to people, and I heard a rumour today that Zac Lomax is about to sign a deal with them (R360) and there is a big chance he’s played his last game for Parramatta.”
1 Oct 2025 — V'lady's warns of severe consequences for R360 bound players: "It's gambling with your future". consequences. [4]
2 Oct 2025 — Lomax denies rumours he is looking out of the NRL to R360 at the 2025 Dally M Awards: "Nah, not at all." [5]
- Lomax: "I mean, I'm contracted at the Eels for another three years. I've loved my time there and I'm loving every second of it."
15 Oct 2025 — ARLC chairman V'landys announces a ten-year ban on any player or agent that “negotiates, signs, or enters into” an agreement with the rebel group R360.
16 Nov 2025 — Lomax released from Eels contract with conditional release agreement.
- can not play for another club for term of Eels contract, ending Oct 31, 2028, unless permitted to by the Eels
- and a substantial transfer fee conditional on the R360 contract falling through
19 Nov 2025 — Schifcofske backflip: “I won’t be having anything to do with R360 moving forward,” he told Code Sport. [6] Foxsport, [7] Code Sport
- “I’m not hiding that I had talks on behalf of my clients, but I was doing my job at the time."
- “[But] If those rules have changed, then I’ll play by them.”
- “If they want to pursue R360, I’ve told them to get a lawyer to represent them in that space."
- “I’ll continue helping them with other rugby options around the world - Europe, Japan - but not R360.”
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Schifcofske Stable has extensive links to R360. Ryan Papenhuyzen, Zac Lomax and Jye Gray. There were othrs such as Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary, Reece Walsh, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
24 Nov 2025 — Lomax reportedly purchases $4m luxury property at Barrack Point. [8]
29 Nov 2025 — R360 delayed: announces a delay from a 2026 to a 2028 start after the RU World Cup to “strengthen its integrity”. [9]
2 Dec 2025 — Lomax explores Super Rugby competition. He meets with Western Force owner Andrew Forrest in Perth to discuss a potential move. [10]
12 Dec 2025 — Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh confirms he would consider signing Lomax. [11]
- Waugh softens his stance on signing more big-money NRL recruits.
- Waugh: "We consider anyone who has the ambition to play for the Wallabies, and we'll have conversations with anyone who is willing to be part of what's going to be a really amazing journey through to 2027," he told the Herald.
- Waugh: "Lomax is one name, there are other names that have expressed an interest to be part of the Rugby World Cup journey. We are happy to have pragmatic, sensible conversations."
- Lomax explores options and tours Western Force and ACT Brumbies facilities.
- Super Rugby franchises offering a maximum of $220,000 a year.
- Lomax could potentially earn up to $400,000 a year without Rugby Australia's help, if he plays all 15 Tests for the Wallabies in 2026.
- Waugh:
18 Dec 2025 — Lomax reportedly offered around $450K by Super Rugby Franchises with a potential top-up. [12] Code Sport, DT [13]
6 Jan 2026 — Lomax reportedly seeks to join the Storm and seeks unconditional release from the release agreement signed with the Eels six weeks prior (16 Nov). [14] Foxsport, [15] Daily Telegraph, [16]
- Legal Action threatened. Ramy Qutami is acting on Lomax's behalf as discussions with the Eels grow increasingly tense as Eels have held firm. Qutami is a high-profile Australian sports lawyer who has previously represented well-known athletes, including Folau (successful fight against being dismissed by Rugby Australia), Jarryd Hayne, and recently Francis Molo in his fight for a release from his Dragons deal to join the Dolphins.
- The Storm have made it clear they are keen to land Lomax immediately and believe they have the salary cap flexibility to accommodate him following the departures of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet.
Replies
What you are really trying to say is he is not captaincy material Eli.
Just to piss a few of you off, if he came back and had his original terms restated.....I would take him! personal logistics notwithstanding......after all he is obviously not the sharpest tool in the shed.....anyone that runs 200 metres a game,does more hitups than any forward, play's 3 positions and kick goals, not to mention his gymnastic ability .......well that is a lot of ice cream to lick out!
I think he could come back, if the eels hadn't already made moves to grab Pezet, keep Bailey and sign Kelly. Boat has already sailed for Zach unfortunately. Just wish he didn't chase after R360 🤣. Good player but not a thinker lol
How much of a fool would he look if he asked to come back after all the reported threatening of legal action and bungling of his original contract. Sports agencies would probably offer a million to one of Lomax asking Ryles if he could come back to the club.
He is a trillion to one.
I'll take the bet and have a dollar at 100/1....it was a piss take and I did say he is not the sharpest tool in the shed. I think Eli was just playing the game " with a straight bat".
I actually would too, since he would be returning with his tail between his legs. He would have a point to prove.
interesting read from a legal point of view
Lomax could still end up in Melbourne, according to former Tigers c...
My wife worked at the firm owned by Hangipitalis, worked alongside him and knew him very well. Said he was dodgy as a person, was not a great human. He was nice to his workers but mainly he was amazing at his job. He knows his you know what.
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