Lomax legal promise could create salary-cap headache for Storm

From The Sydney Morning Herald...

Melbourne’s pursuit of Zac Lomax could prove more costly than expected if the NRL deems the club’s promise to cover the exiled winger’s legal bills should be included in the Storm’s salary cap.

Parramatta began legal proceedings to prevent Lomax from joining the Storm, given his release from a four-year contract was contingent on the Eels providing written consent. The Blues winger was granted a release to join rebel rugby competition R360, but has been left in limbo after its inaugural season was put back until 2028.

Lomax’s hopes of making his Melbourne debut against former club Parramatta in the opening round have been thwarted after his court hearing was scheduled to end a day after the AAMI Park clash.

According to court documents made available last week, the Eels claim the Storm indemnified Lomax’s court expenses.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/lomax-legal-promise-could-create-salary-cap-headache-for-storm-20260218-p5o39m.html

"to me our top 5 juniors that we have that haven't played nrl yet is Lorenzo (20), Petrus (19), Koina (19), Seuseu (16) and Popo (20). Popo hasn't played much this year due to injury but last years form puts him on this list for me. Could argue the…"

"If it was possible to do why haven't other rubbish teams done so? It sounds simple in theory but it just isn't and what it will take to get Yeo and Cleary here would destroy our cap. Added to that Yeo is 33 next year, how long til he declines?"

Replies

Blue Eel February 19, 2026 at 9:09am

Dont you love a feel good story !

Love that if Melbourne were to win and Lomax's contract with the Storm was confirmed, the fact that Lomax's legal bills would go on top of their salary cap even though they don't have that cap space is just poetic.

That the storm may have to release a player to stay under the cap is interesting. Any chance that we could still end up a player swap even if Lomax / Storm won the case would just be awesome. Gotta laugh at this, if it were to ring true..
- Clintorian > Blue Eel February 19, 2026 at 11:55am
  
  Beach should text Abdo to apply the blowtorch to the salary cap auditors...
- ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER > Blue Eel February 19, 2026 at 2:55pm
  
  I hope in the end we do one of storm players but saying that if we do well he give us 100% every game
Hell On Eels February 19, 2026 at 9:53am

Ironically, around 13 Jan, when Storm agreed to pay Lomax's legal fees (could cause cap implications) was also when Tripp allegedly called Beach to threaten that the Eels could be hit with cap sanctions by the NRL.

NRL.com official salary cap rules:

"If a player is receiving money from any person as a way of inducing him to play for the club, then that money will be included in the Salary Cap." https://www.nrl.com/operations/integrity/salary-cap/

Will paying for his legal fees count as an inducement?
- The Badger > Hell On Eels February 19, 2026 at 10:51am
  
  Damn well should.
  
  Given we had to include Fui's family flights then these legal fees should for sure.
- Mitchy > Hell On Eels February 19, 2026 at 11:28am
  
  The Storm will not enforce this. That is my gut feeling here; they should but we know they no nuts.
- Clintorian > Hell On Eels February 19, 2026 at 11:57am
  
  Wow... HOE, this is what I was looking for as I wasn't sure how Storm could be forced to pay for his legal bills.
  
  THIS IS HUGE!
  - Hell On Eels > Clintorian February 19, 2026 at 12:20pm
    
    Clintorian, I'd be flabbergasted if this isn't casually swept under the rug.
    
    Regardless of outcomes, it makes me smile we are playing a different game —pulling the rug away with the power of the subpoena.
    
    Legal muscle and daylight. If you can't beat em or join em, this is the way. We probably have in the past, but I can't recall a time we did this...
  - LB > Clintorian February 19, 2026 at 1:25pm
    
    Plus it could put them over the cap.
Muttman February 19, 2026 at 11:02am

Eels are playing this beautifully