Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos has urged fans to keep backing the judgment of Jason Ryles after the Eels coach emerged as the key figure in the decision to sever ties with Zac Lomax.
The Eels confirmed on Sunday that they had agreed to release Lomax from the final three years of his contract, with the NSW and Australian winger expected to switch codes and eventually sign with rebel rugby union competition R360.
There have been whispers he will spend time in Japanese rugby before then. He has, however, likely played his last game in the NRL after the Eels decided they were better served spending their money on a player who was fully committed to the club. Ultimately, club bosses made the call in consultation with Ryles.
“He (Lomax) made it clear he wanted to pursue opportunities elsewhere,” Sarantinos said. “There’s obviously been that connection with R360. I really don’t know where that is at. I have no idea. “But he came forward to us and he asked if we would consider releasing him early. The main stakeholder in this is the coach. He’s been pretty decisive and strong around decisions he has made in regards to personnel.”
“I think the view was that if we have a player whose focus may be elsewhere and the opportunities came to exit that situation sooner rather than later, and it gives you an opportunity to strengthen your roster somewhere else, why not do that.”
“It’s not something we have been planning for the long term. But obviously we’ll look internally, we’ll look at who is available and we will look at the balance of the roster.”
Lomax’s departure is expected to strengthen the Eels’ bid to sign South Sydney and Kangaroos forward Keaon Koloamatangi, who came on the market on November 1. The Rabbitohs are fighting hard to keep Koloamatangi, but whispers are growing louder that he has had his head turned by Parramatta.
When asked whether he was surprised that Lomax had decided to leave, having fought so hard to get out of his deal at St George Illawarra to move to the Eels, Sarantinos said: “I don’t think you sign any player for four years and expect that 12 months into the contract they are going to be looking at other opportunities. Things change. When we signed Zac, Brad (Arthur) was coach. We probably didn’t expect that would be the situation. Now we have Rylesy in place and he’s been pretty clear with all the decisions he has made around personnel.”
It is understood that a transfer fee has been included as one of the conditions of Lomax’s release from his contract. The size of the release fee remains a closely guarded secret - this masthead was told it was a significant figure.
If Lomax is R360 bound, they will need to stump up plenty of cash to secure his signature for their inaugural competition in October next year.
Not that money appears to be an issue. Nor do the 10-year bans that have been threatened by the NRL for players who join the breakaway league.
They certainly don’t appear to have affected Lomax’s decision.
“I have no idea what R360’s strategy is,” Sarantinos said. “Are they looking to tear the NRL apart or are they looking to pick and choose NRL players. I don’t know how much of a deterrent the bans from the NRL will play. For some players it will be a major deterrent. For other players it may not matter.”
Replies
You need to be laying the seed now I've just seen an article where it mentioned we haven't even engaged or had discussion with NaS's PA as yet.
I hate the media like that they plant seed.They don't actually no unfortunately fans eat that shit up I can't stand the clowns and I don't rate very many of them.For the most part there opinions are basically what you see on most fan boards speculative for the most part.
Nah it's 2million for 2026
you got to remember, Lomax was on about 800k
dylan was on about 900, then hands, and a few others have left as well, and we only sign de belin who wouldn't be hardly on anything and Pezet who would not been on much either, we haven't bought anyone else, so they must be planning something with the signings. I think we have about 4 spots left, I wouldn't be surprised if Matterson goes too
We've upgraded a lot of youngsters signed TDS long term also.Pezet for 26.
Id be surprised if we had 2 mill for 26 if we did no doubt we'd have had or announced a signing by now.
Galvin was the one we really wanted they were basically throwing DBs salary to land him.
DBs salary - 250k and 2 years.
Was reported in circles Galvins camp told Ryles he would come if they added 100k and he said no. Still great money but the club knew his worth and didnt bend to make it happen.
Drown was announced to be leaving in March. Since then we've signed Walker, TDS, JDB and Pezet, and extended a bunch of guys including JAC. Drown's money is long gone.
Ryles has a great ability to let players leave and zero in acquisition as it stands.......he has not signed a good deal in Parramatta's interest for a player that has been heavily sought after.....I am still backing him but this aspect is a big big concern (PNG and the Bears loom)....we have cash but no one wants a bar of us.....
Because success isnt about signing players who are heavily sought after. 9/10 it just means youre paying overs to get someone with no ties to come to the club.
Pretty sure every bloke that has come to the team since Ryles arrived has added great value? Iongi, Fox, Dylan Walker, Jack Williams. I think hes done well to help recruit all of them and we're already a significantly more attractive place to come than we were 6 months ago.
Exactly Snottie
There's a club Free Agent signing hierarchy that in my opinion looks something like this at the moment
Brisbane / Roosters / Storm - seem to be able to get people at market value or under .
Penith - Get good first graders at good value knowing they're going into a great system . If they target one of your juniors for a role they have open good luck keeping them.
Bulldogs / Sourhs - have millionaire involvement
Parra / cowboys / sharks / dolphins/ manly - can make smart purchases for the right price but struggle to offer enough to get into bidding wars with the teams above
Raiders / Wahs - Competive teams that have to pay overs r recruit smart largely because of location
Tigers / Knights / Gold Coast / Dragons - have to pay ridiculous overs to get anyone of value to look at therm.
I feel like 6 months ago Parra were in that bottom tier and have recruited really well. The only bidding war they half got into was for Galvin and they refused to pay overs for him and moved up the list through improved coaching , systems and recruitment. Hopefully we progress further over the next 12 months and signing someone like Pezet might help us do that if it helps us get to the business end and into the big end of season games. So many fans want us to go the Tigers approach and spend to upgrade the roster . Luai is on 1.4 there and when he was winning comps he was probably on near enough to half that. It buys a level of improvement but comes at expense of overall roster construction . Ryles has shown he knows what he's doing and what sort of player he wants to recruit . We've been given no reason to doubt him.
That's a good post snottie and for the most part true.
When it comes to recruiting talent I think it's been a club problem for awhile I'd hate to go through the approaches we've lost over the years as I bet there are many that go unmentioned.
The club for the most parts biggest issue and it's strength in previous guises has been its development even going back to Brian Smith days for me those players that JR has brought in you are correct they've been great there's no disputing that.Moneyball is important building a roster.
Thing is if we want to compete and be a real threat we have to get everything correct in the mentioned recruitment,retention and development stakes not to win but just be competitive.We can see what the best are doing and if we want that sought of success that's the marker.This is where the club is behind and a long way behind.
When you lose players like Brown Talagi Sanders Lomax and alike the team moves foward but let's be honest are we a better team with or without the mentioned talent.The worst thing about and what tells you how far behind we are is Brown is the best to come through grade in a decade and has just killed it for his country.
We talk about culture character and these soughts of things Brown for the most part last year even dropped bench riding was still a asset to the team did whatever was required of him and yet maybe Pezet helps us attract players if we are successful even though he's bailing in 27.When I look at the mentioned Parra as a club aren't strong enough or good enough to lose players like that they just aren't
When I hear this and that from the CEO trust Jason it doesn't give me alot of faith if I'm honest because basically JRs the fall guy the CEO DoF and all the rest are safe nothings happening to those guys results regardless,it also tells me loud and clear our board have zero idea how to win a premiership ZERO they are pretty much just there for financial and balancing the book reasons that's it..
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