Summary:
Zac Lomax has settled his legal dispute with the Parramatta Eels, agreeing he cannot return to the NRL without the club’s written consent before the 2028 season.
In a surprise development in the NSW Supreme Court, both parties reached a settlement that largely upholds the original terms of his release. Lomax will now be free to return to the NRL without Parramatta’s consent in 2028 instead of 2029 — but until then, he remains restricted.
This means he cannot join the Melbourne Storm unless the Eels provide written approval.
As part of the agreement, Melbourne must pay $250,000 towards Parramatta’s legal costs.
The dispute arose after Lomax was released from his $700,000-per-year contract to pursue an opportunity in the failed R360 rugby union competition. Parramatta included a clause preventing him from signing with another NRL club until November 2028 without their consent. Negotiations between Melbourne and Parramatta broke down over transfer fees and player swap proposals before the matter was resolved in court.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/zac-lomax-once-again-in-contract-limbo-after-settling-with-parramatta/news-story/28e01750be0a26c3e610008358d71d71
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Just one question, and i don't think it will matter much because Lomax will get a league deal somewhere - was the 3 years reduced to 2 as part of an agreement between the two clubs or was it ordered by the courts.
Thats the only part that is confusing. It seems it was part of the settlement which is fair.
Here you go Chief, this might help explain it for you:
FULL STATEMENT FROM EELS
The Parramatta Eels today provide the following update regarding Zac Lomax and proceedings involving the Melbourne Storm.
In November 2025 as part of Zac Lomax’s release from the remaining three years of his contract with the Parramatta Eels, Zac agreed that he would not play with another NRL team prior to 31 October 2028 without the written consent of the Eels.
Over the past two months the Eels and the Melbourne Storm have worked towards reaching an agreement to enable Zac to play with the Storm. At no time did the Storm make an offer that could be implemented that would provide appropriate value for our football program.
The Eels and the Storm have been unable to reach an agreement for the Eels to provide consent for Zac to play with the Storm.
Today, the Supreme Court by consent made an order which has the effect of prohibiting Zac from entering into a contract, working, training or playing with any other NRL Club until 31 October 2027 without the Eels written consent.
The court order is consistent with the restraint in the Deed of Release that Zac signed with the Eels on 16 November 2025, other than the Eels have agreed that the term of the restraint will now cease on 31 October 2027 rather than 31 October 2028. All other terms of the deed of release remain in place.
The Melbourne Storm have consented to a costs order made by the Supreme Court that the Melbourne Storm will contribute $250,000 towards the legal costs incurred by the Parramatta Eels.
The Eels are willing to work with Zac and his agent to find an NRL club that wants to sign Zac in exchange for the Eels receiving appropriate value for its football program.
Parramatta Eels Chairman Matthew Beach said, “The legal case was never about preventing Zac from returning to the NRL. It was about ensuring that the terms of Zac’s release, which Zac agreed to after seeking legal advice, were adhered to. As I have said before, contracts are an important part of the NRL as they are for every member of the community.
“We would like to thank our legal team led by Arthur Moses SC, Liam Meahger and the team at Workplace Law for their guidance and advice throughout this process.
“We were always willing to consider a deal that would strengthen our football program. After trying for over two months, we were unable to reach an agreement with the Storm.
“We believe that Zac is a good young man and we are willing to work with him and his agent, in an open and transparent manner, to explore ways that we can reach an agreement where Zac can return to the NRL.
“While this period has presented some unique challenges, we felt strongly about standing up for what we believed to be right, and we appreciate the passion, unity and alignment we have seen from our members, fans, sponsors and everyone within the Club,” added Mr Beach.
Nice to see that it went our way. Maybe Vlandy had advised Melbourne and Lomax to let it go to avoid their shenanigans being exposed. Good for the club to standing up to NRL and Storms 'bullying'. Go PARRA!
We did agree to lower the amount of time from 2029 return to 2028.
So two years can sit out.
That's an interesting concession. There must be something else coming our way for us to agree to that...
Yes. It could be that the Storm have agreed to sign Lomax for 2 years and then he can negotiate without any restrictions on his 3rd year with any club.
Folks, We defeated the Storm and HQ, who would've probably registered Lomax's Storm contract if it weren't for this legal action. But a 1-2 year read-down was highly likely as I've noted numerous times.
If R360 starts in 2028, how long will Lomax be in the game? Also, I suspect James Graham is right when he talks about R360's Golden Handshakes, which could be the untold story behind all this.
The Lomax camp are now forced to either stay out of the NRL or find a player swap deal, which is probably in our best interests as well. It's probably unlikely we'll see Lomax in Eels colours...I'd consider it though, lol.
Well its obvious Matterson will not play another game of nrl. He obviously wants to take this years coin and call it a day.
Moving to Melbourne is just an excuse
I find it hard to believe that Matterson passed the Bellamy test.
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