The Eels have organised a meeting with disgruntled Dragons star Zac Lomax on Wednesday as they ramp up their bid to lure him to Parramatta immediately.
The Herald can reveal that Lomax has scheduled talks with Eels powerbrokers just 24 hours after he was granted a release from the final two years of his deal at the Dragons.
The Eels are preparing to offer Lomax a long-term deal until at least the end of 2027, but the sticking point will be the matter of how soon he will be able to link with the club.
The Eels have salary cap space to sign him as a centre immediately, but the Dragons will not release him this season unless they get an adequate replacement in return. They are looking for a back-up fullback and hooker.
The Dragons on Tuesday announced they had terminated the final two years of Lomax’s contract, allowing him to leave the joint venture club at the end of 2024 – or sooner if a suitable player swap can be arranged.
“The club will only consider a release this year if a player of considerable standing is offered in return which our head coach Shane Flanagan is comfortable with,” the club said in a statement released on Tuesday.
Lomax has been agitating for a release since being moved to the wing by Flanagan. He has had several requests for an exit this season denied.
Lomax has been on Parramatta’s radar for some time and they are keen to sign him immediately, although all attempts have been rebuffed by the Dragons so far.
Documents confirming two-thirds of Lomax’s remaining contract are to be terminated were lodged with the NRL on Tuesday.
St George Illawarra are adamant there will be “no financial contribution to be made by the club” in 2025 and 2026 to Lomax’s contract, which is worth about $800,000 a year as one of the club’s biggest earners. Lomax is the second-highest paid player at the Dragons behind skipper Ben Hunt.
“By finalising this decision now, it provides both Zac and the club with clarity regarding the future, allowing us time to strategise for the upcoming seasons,” Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said in the statement.
“This arrangement enables the Dragons to focus on refining our top 30 roster and utilising additional cap space, while Zac can pursue his future endeavours with another club.”
The Dragons have moved quickly to ensure their own rostering moves can’t be hamstrung by negotiations over Lomax leaving his contract early. Often, that situation results in a club paying a player to play for a rival long after they have left.
Flanagan has already met 24-year-old Wallabies star Jordan Petaia about a potential code switch as early as next season.
Penrith’s 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year Sunia Turuva is also in the club’s sights as his management prepares to go to market after extension talks stalled with the Panthers.
The Dragons are prepared to go beyond the $350,000 Penrith are willing to offer due to salary cap restraints. Flanagan is a big admirer of Turuva and would consider him as a fullback-winger option.
St George Illawarra are the first club to express interest and want to meet with Turuva to gauge his desire to leave the three-time reigning champions. The club has also started its own extension talks with Tyrell Sloan.
Replies
It seems it is just between us and Sydney City. Sydney City have a fair bit of competition with Smith, Nawaqanatiwasi, Suaalii rumoured to maybe staying and they also have Dom Young and Lewis Murphy as young outside backs.
At Parramatta he walks straight into a Centre spot. Talagi future Fullback and all set. What i want to know is, Parramatta are going to want him immediately, begs to question that they must already have a player or two in mind. I doubt they let another outside back leave. Options can only be Matterson and Greig. Sanders maybe thrown in to sweeten the deal since he wont be playing this year anyway and is intent on leaving in 2025, why not use him to our advantage to get Lomax in now.
We are going hard, which is good to see. It seems they have finally found the one that all can agree is who they want. I think BA would be impressed with Lomax in person and he will fit in with the boys. 2027 will come with an option for 2028 of course.
The fact they want a back-up Fullback or a Hooker is weird out of all position. Talagi makes sense as that Fullback option they want. But Sanders could be used then as he can let Flanagan move to 9 like originally planned.
If Lomax is on the market for next year , then the Roosters will get their man. They always do.
However, if Eels can negotiate immediate release with player swap, then we have a chance to lock him up before other clubs get their chance.
I see Dragans wants a hooker and fullback. Surely Hands can be one player to swap and maybe we can somehow convince Flanagan Sivo or Matto can also play fullback 😂
We cannot give up a Hooker. Lussick goes down and we are screwed with one Hooker for rest of the year. Depth wise Hooker is a no go.
As for Roosters, well apparently BA is meeting with him today, if all goes well like it should you'd imagine the offer is given as early as tonight or tomorrow morning to with management. Ideally just get him signed for 2025 onwards then work out an immediate deal afterwards. Just get him committed past this year.
It seems O'Neill is a cat on a hot tin roof to get in and see Lomax ASAP. Reason being is past trouble getting a quality back and getting a jump start on Sydney City who have cap space and TPA's.
He's going to the Roosters zero chance it's us.
It's the only reason he's walking away from an $800k contract because Uncle Nick has told him don't worry we will cover that and see you $500...
With Manu going, Suaalli up in the air they need a center and Lomax fits that bill - his sulking and unrest has been orchestrated by Politis 100% because they need a Many replacement.
It's actually kind of disgusting how these cunts get all the good players.
I am not saying there is no chance he goes to Easts. But Smith signed til 2027, Suaalii up in the air, Nawaqanatiwasi signed. A lot of competition there. As i said, Roosters need a Winger more so to replace Tupou. Plus Suaalii will be back at some point and when he is it'll be to replace Teddy, same with Manu would come back also after 2-3 years. Nawaqanitawase more likely will start at Winger i see, though Suaalii could flip any minute too never know.
At Parramatta Lomax will have a spot for 4 years with no competition really. Roosters have so much around the position it is not funny.
Yeah I can't see it happening mate not with the Roosters sniffing around and probably a promise of investmemt opportunities he ain't getting at the Saints and an opportunity to play for NSW through a club with enormous reach.
Again i would not be shocked if he goes to Roosters, but just see it as we are easier for him if that makes sense. But then again if anyone loses him it can be us very much so. Can see one tiny sticking point that leads to Lomax leaving the table.
The Roosters have signed Keary for another year but he's shot, they'll be going all in the next couple of years on a new half and a new fullback.
Its been a long time since the Roosters didn't have one of the best custodians in the game.
I always thought they'd go hard for Dylbags , he does have a good feel for the area.
They will medically retire Keary as soon as this year. Been planning it for years. Just need to see who they want to replace him. Maybe moving Teddy to 6 is their plan to prolong his career therefore a Fullback spot is open. But as soon as Suaalii and Manu have seen out their deals, got their money and played a WC while travelling the world, they will be back at Sydney City and getting their spots back straight away.
'He does have a good feel for the area' - hahaha
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