Eels win in the Supreme Court

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

Next week the Eels team will certainly have their work cut out for them when they go up against a relentless BYE team. It's obvious Captain courageous Mitch Moses who will be missing with Origin Duties will make the Eels job tougher in attempting to…

Replies

- - The Captain > Muttman March 3, 2026 at 12:05pm
    
    $250k in our legal fees. Didn't they also agree to pay Lomaxs?
    - The Badger > The Captain March 3, 2026 at 12:11pm
      
      Yep. Lomax's, $250K of ours plus theirs
  - Phil Mann > Muttman March 3, 2026 at 12:09pm
    
    As I read it, the storm are paying $250 toward our legal costs but in addition they will have to look after their own, so it's $250k +
    
    Hope they engaged their legal team on a: "no win, no fee" basis!! hahaha
Richard B'Stard March 3, 2026 at 10:41am

I hope the total legal fees weren't a cent over $250k...
- Anguillidae > Richard B'Stard March 3, 2026 at 3:40pm
  
  I heard the final bill surprisingly came in at $249,999.00
SuperEel 22 March 3, 2026 at 10:44am

Eels played this superbly. They won. Hands down. Melbourne don't get their player, Lomax doesn't return to the NRL and the Storm have to pay the majority of our legal costs.
- Muttman > SuperEel 22 March 3, 2026 at 10:46am
  
  Hopefully the subpoaened evidence we now have will prevent any retribution from the NRL. We all know they wanted Zac in Melbourne.
  - MeelK > Muttman March 3, 2026 at 10:57am
    
    There must be something big and juicy in there for this to be the outcome.
    - Nitram > MeelK March 3, 2026 at 11:13am
      
      It is the ONLY explanation.
    - Gucci > MeelK March 3, 2026 at 11:28am
      
      100%. Settled and paid Parramatta because of this. But I still think a swap deal is being worked out, they just couldnt get the whole deal done in time. Both the Storm and NRL did not want this to play out in court, it will go back to behind closed doors.