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

"Ryles alluded to something going on last year. I suspect that all is not exactly well with Matterson, hence why he only played a handful of games last year. I hope he is OK and I'm sure the club is supporting him in this. It's been painted that…"

"The others have deserved their spot on the bench. Moretti unlucky timing for an injury. He will eventually be back in the squad should his form show it."

Replies

- The Badger > Axel March 3, 2026 at 10:54am
  
  This makes me very happy.
- Longfin Eel > Axel March 3, 2026 at 12:27pm
  
  Yep that's what I thought too. V'landys will stop at nothing to keep Melbourne in the winning circles. The evidence we now have likely points to that. What else do we want from the NRL now that we have them by the balls?
  - CarloEEL2 > Longfin Eel March 3, 2026 at 12:53pm
    
    A premiership would be nice 🤔😆or at the very least a level playing field with the other clubs of our size 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤨
Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 3, 2026 at 10:53am

I still think a swap deal will be done. There has to be something behind this with the this situation being resolved before it began.
- MeelK > Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 March 3, 2026 at 10:58am
  
  Of course there is something behind this, the NRL and the Storm didn't want all their dirty laundry to be aired.
  - LB > MeelK March 3, 2026 at 11:00am
    
    Spot on. Many in socials didn't understand
  - Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐 > MeelK March 3, 2026 at 11:07am
    
    Yep. Great point Meeiks
  - Nightmare Off-Season > MeelK March 3, 2026 at 11:33am
    
    Exactly, MeelK. 100% agree. Which could also be protection against the NRL if they plan to try and get some sort of payback.
    
    What a sensational win by the Eels this is. Stoked we didn't fold an accept financial compensation & a player not worthy of the transfer.
    
    Massive congrats to entire club for setting this precendent.
    
    Now to go down to Melbourne and embarrass them at home, as well as in the courtroom.
  - Hell On Eels > MeelK March 3, 2026 at 3:05pm
    
    Especially, when you're chosing to fork out 500K-$1m out of your own pocket for the privilege of airing your own laundry and HQ on the witness stand.
    
    Arthur Moses might be better than Tom Cruise but this isn't A Few Good Men.
Anguillidae March 3, 2026 at 10:53am

It's clear that the NRL orchestrated the resolution to protect their leadership (PVL and Abdo fronting court). It's actually a little bit disappointing to be honest. I wonder what the kickback for the Storm will be?