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
Dylan Brown is a drunk touching prick. Ryles is smart and he is kicking the dead wood that doesn't need to be in the team.
Ryles didn't want Brown , if he did he wouldn't have point blank denied him even $1 pay rise when he requested it. People forget that Brown asked for a payrise long before the Newcastle offer appeared. If Ryles wanted him at the club there would've been a negotiation before he fielded the offer elsewhere. But there wasn't , it was a big fat nope, you're not getting a cent more , champ.
Lomax is picked in Origin because hes a big body who excels in bringing the ball out of yardage which is perfect for Origin. Hes not a bad player. Hes a great athlete who can make something from nothing. Having said that, he wants to play centre where he is atrocious . It takes away the best strengths from his game. He's also extremely slow, can't keep up with short side attacking raids and his defence is ordinary to below ordinary. Matty Johns has highlighted many times how Slater exploits him at Origin level and it happened a lot at club level. Sometimes he had the athletic anility to save himslef, often he didnt. He wasnt commited to becomming the best winger and essentially the best player he can be. For his strengths he was far from the complete winger. We will miss him in some areas and benefit from him not being there in others. On top of that we have 700k extra in our cap.
As for Dylan Brown. he was exceptional for the kiwis. A side that had a rampaging pack that was rolling down the field and dominating possession . His job was simple. The real test of him as a player will be going to Newcastle and finding his role within that side. We know from experience here he wont be the conductor of the attack, its also unlikley his pack is smashing the opposition and his thought process will be so clear. Hes shown with us an inability to know how to impact games and how he can add to an attack if his running game isnt given space. We've had this problem with him for 6 years. Its expected when youre young but when you put your hand up for million dollar + contracts the expectation on you goes through the roof. I dont think he will ever live up to the expectations and that contract is going to hang around the Knights neck for a decade. Im not sure what Parra was to do here. Theres no way im topping up or adding years to his contract when theres already 6 in front of him and he wasted 2 of them.
I see the year as another year of growth. I think we're starting the year off a much higher base than 2025. Players have more clarity about their roles in the system and whats required of them. Theres no reason why we shouldnt be competiive every game . That will get us playing in high stakes games which is part of the journey for the young players in our squad. As I said above , when the league knows you as a young squad making strides you can attract talent more within their proper value range. Paying overs now may slighlty help the short term but we'll get to a point where it hinders us going further. A young , improving squad with cap space is an exciting place to be . I dont get the doom and gloom around here.
The coaching staff dont want Lomax back and his money will be spent.
Everybody knew when Anasta said it on his show. So let's not make out you were the first to mention it. Second you all had the shit when the Eels were all over the news with what was happening internally, now you hear shit. It's all kept very quiet & here you are complaining that the CEO didn't know. Of coarse everyone knew, he was caught in New Zealand talking to a particular player. People here have all the conspiracies & assumptions.
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