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.
Replies
All the fans will get over it in about a month. Honestly eve seen far, far, far worse.
The one club happy about this media shitstorm is Manly. They are is a world of pain right now, full blown disaster at that club, fires everywhere.
This is pretty funny really. The fact that Melbourne just assumed this would be OK suggests they have done similar things before and not been pinged for it by the salary cap auditors. No doubt the NRL sweeps under the carpet issues that are found that may cause problems, and that's why the whole process is vague at best. Now it is out in the public domain the NRL will be forced to do something about it. This just gets better and better for highlighting the lack of integrity in the game.
Bingo Longfin, we need to get this story out so every Club's boss is aware this is going on, they're the ones that can pressure the NRL here, because you can't have one club with an exception over every other club.
Let's hope a journo with some integrity leans into this story and holds Abdo and V'landy's accountable.
Im thinking some of the savvy, experienced and high performing operators around the game will see this as an opportunity to pull a double whammy on their rival.
Think about the possibility presenting itself to Penrith, Roosters, Sharks, Bulldogs and Broncos. Gain a quality player, cut loose someone non-impactful to their roster, whether thats due to the player not fitting their budgetting, or due to internal pressure from emerging young players. Heap a bunch of pressure on a Storm that has shown for the first time in a very long time some instability, and deal a huge financial blow at the same time.
I think Broncos would be very interested in Lomax particularly. They are currently holding onto Jesse Arthars despite significant interest from Titans, and the player himself to be released to join the rival team this season. They are refusing to let him go which means they are concerned about outside back depth, although he is very much not in their plans for firstgrade. This is evident from his 2025 ansennces paired with overlooking him for the WCC.
Brisbane would also have north of 1 million dollars in the cap now and by all reports they are looking to build their pack from within. This means they need to look for players that make their 17 better overall not just by looking for a 'replacement' prop.
Finally, the 'Last Ride' narrative. This is their best and last chance to win a Premiership for the foreseeable future, with massive pieces of their top 17 (or 19) departing.
Walsh
Karapani
Staggs
Shibasaki
Mariner
These players are all high level, proven by their consistent and impressive performances during a Premiership season. The addition of Anderson is a good one from The Strom, ironically. He is versatile and can cover a few positions as can Mariner. Outside of that they have Perham a a back up Fullback, Delouise Hoeter, and an impressive but unproven Phil Coates (brother of Xavier).
I think Lomax coming into this 17 replaces their loss in Cobbo but adds more consistency and punch, not to mention the Goalkicking.
To me, its a no brainer when you break it down. Especially when you consider the connection between Madge and Lomax.
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So, Broncos can get stronger. Bring fans back onside with positive optics. Hurt the Storm massivley. Clear a path for juniors.
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Now, whats in it for Parramatta in terms of a swap?
Id love to see Pezet retained and its obvious the destination is a little less appealing now that Hakeen Haas wont be there. But lets not go for the dream scenario here and look to whats a bit more realistic, although less appealing.
Our greatest need is in the pack, a Middle, or and Edge. Paulo and JDB should be considered retirement candidates after this year, so experience is a must for us. The versatility of Jack Williams and his development under Ryles has afforded us the opportunity to be flexible with our top 30 future planning.
I dont think Broncos will let any middles go, considering their recent departure and the forementioned 'promote from within' strategy. So we look to Edge Forwards. Push Williams into the middle, and as a side note I really like the middle mix and rotation of Walker paired with Williams/Moretti, and Hopgood/Doorey plus the undoubtably exciting prospects in Ryda, Tuivaiti, Brown and Jeziah.
So Broncos trade candidates:
Brendan Piakura is the clear Backrow target for Parramatta to chase.
I really like Piakura and strikes me as a player that has never quite hit his potential or found a purple patch of stable form.
Madge has challenged Piakura and Piakura was up to the challenge and found his way into the starting team by the time the Grandfinal came to fruition. I think that shows a few things. Mainly that the young man is tough, a fighter, and willing to put his ego to the side. These traits are consistent with what Ryles seems to value highly. It does show that Madge is willing to go without Piakura if he doesnt meet standards and the guys that came in for him were able to get a job done. I believe that the Broncos and Madge are definitely looking for affordable players to come in and fill spaces in their top team with the additions of Preston Riki, Talty and Tawha over the past 12 months.
I think its possible a deal like this could be brokered, all you need in to dangle Lomax infront of Madge, and for their CEO to convince themself that Piakura is 'injury prone' or 'overpaid' and they will come to the table.
Hopgood and Piakura would have a relationship and I think Hopgood is a VC/leader behind Moses in the playing group. He is a SOO rep level player who impressed Billy Slater enbough to get the call up to the squad alongside Jmaine. He is a Cook Island heritage version of Jack Howarth who we have indicated our interest in publically.
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The impact of the signing to the Eels.
We would bolster our edge forward stocks and clear a path for Piakura to see regular starting time as our strike edge forward. Providing a multi year option due to his youth. He also plays simliarly to Gumyer who I think is considered a long term edge partner to Kautoga right now and also in the same mould as Will Latu. He is also not going to command a huge salary so he is an affordable option.
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In addition to this move Id try to convince Marata Niukore to head back over the ditch for a final 2 season highly paid stint at Parramatta and future coaching or leadership role if he'd like to stay in Aus. I know he indicated he wanted to move back to NZ, however I believe taking over Juniors contract would help ease those concerns and is held in high regard in Parramatta.
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The last piece of the puzzle, which I accept is a long bow to draw would be to sign Calvin Harris-Tevita citing the 'blocked pathway' string people throughout the game love to tug on. And bring Marata's mate Chanel over with him which would solve our halves dilema. And before there are any concerns regarding the development of Lorenzo, Apa, and Fletcher, I believe CHT would play 6 for a year before moving to the bench to take Walker's role in 2027. Im expecting Walker to not be retainable due to big offers from rival teams despite how highly I value him.
Calvin also seems to be a versatile player who may not end up in the halves. Plus its always a good idea to have coverage across key positions with the addition of cashed up PNG and PErth coming through.
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All in all to simplify I would love to see Parramatta broker a deal with Broncos.
Piakura IN.
Lomax OUT.
Niukore IN
JDB and/or Paulo RETIRES
Pezet OUT
CHT (Chanel Harris Tevita) IN
+ Calvin Harris Tevita IN
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PS. I am assuming and hoping that Kelma Tuilagi is let go. He is not a firstgrader IMO, atleast not at an ascending club. He is untenably irratic and inconsistent. At times seems disinterested.
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2027 line up
Iongi
Simonsson
Penisini
Kelly
Addo-Carr
CHT
Moses
Hopgood
Smith
Williams
Piakura
Kautoga
Niukore
TDS
Walker
Brown
Moretti
Doorey
Samrani
That's a decent reply. Would Brisbane be interested? Perhaps, though they did win a comp with Karapani and Mariner, though both premiership winners they are still cheaper than Lomax. Use that extra money elsewhere. But Piakura not sure on, he is a funny player. Not great in defence, runs a good line but injury prone.
Issue is though you don't want to go around ringing, as that takes away your leverage. You want teams coming to you then you negotiate the better deal. If you call first you are more desperate if that makes sense.
I will say, where is the Tuivaiti love in your team list?
Tuivaiti and Brown are neck and neck, I dont mind who comes in but one of them will.
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I dont think Brisbane would be on the list of clubs who havent contacted Lomax's management.
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Piakura has improvement in him for sure but I think Ryles has proven he is capable of helping players become better defenders and better players overall.
Dont overlook the power of 'upgrades' there is literally 0% chance Karapani is on the minimum deal he signed on for this season. Players like Mariner and Karapani are exactly the kinds of guys who can demand increases to their salary, they are in the space between established superstar and good firstgrader. They are now premiership winners who could go to Perth for big money but wont want to leave IMO. I would be very surprised if Shibasaki is at the Broncos beyond this year and would be a great player to throw the bank at for Mal, as he has had a long career on very low level contracts, its his time to cash in and Lomax will cost Brisbane a fraction of whatever he will demand as Lomax is now a 300k player for 2026 and beyond that under 600k atleast given his character hit.
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LThis is all pie in the sky though, who knows, we could be minutes away from an announcement that Lomax has signed with the AFL for all we know. But I like to try imagine scenarios that make sense for all parties whilst ofcourse benefiting Parramatta.
Something along the lines of this I think they are looking at in the front office. Need experience in the middle, a 1-2 year starting halves option. and en edge player, ideally experienced.
You can throw Lorima Seuseu in that list as well.
I would love Brisbane to chase this option, it would absolutely twist Lomax's nuts in a vice between finding a contract in the NRL and not losing his legal case, but also screw over Storm who are paying for his legal bills, would have to take his legals bills into their cap, and don't end up with Lomax in the team!
That would be glorious if it happened, but we're not that lucky.
Clint, I still reckon Canberra were actually interested.
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