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

"Bear I read that too and had a laugh; Parra make clicks it seems. How abt Easts / Manly / C'bury / Melb and Souffs? Ryles is going along in a smart way for me. Journos can talk tripe."

"Ahaha this is just too good. I'd love to know if this hadn't have gone to court, if this would've been off the books. Salary cap cheaters doing what they do best."

"Sure are, that's exactly what I was thinking with the mental health claims. They (Lomax) are digging themselves a bigger and bigger hole the further this progresses. "

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..
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.
Muttman February 19, 2026 at 11:02am

Eels are playing this beautifully
- Adam Magrath > Muttman February 19, 2026 at 11:11am
  
  Sure are, that's exactly what I was thinking with the mental health claims. They (Lomax) are digging themselves a bigger and bigger hole the further this progresses.
RB February 19, 2026 at 11:14am

Ahaha this is just too good. I'd love to know if this hadn't have gone to court, if this would've been off the books. Salary cap cheaters doing what they do best.
HKF February 19, 2026 at 11:23am

you can guarantee the NRL will NOT include this in the storms salary cap.