The NRL is preparing to step in to resolve the Melbourne-Parramatta contract stand-off over Zac Lomax.
Lomax is eager to join the Storm after his proposed move to rebel rugby competition R360 was delayed when its start date was pushed back to 2028.
Lomax is in limbo after the Eels agreed to release him from the final three years of his contract. One of the terms of Lomax’s release was that he cannot play for a rival NRL club without their permission during that period.
The Eels have no interest in any transfer fees and are only prepared to entertain a player swap, with Storm stars Jack Howarth, Xavier Coates and Stefano Utoikamanu at the top of their wish list.
Melbourne have lost a number of players from last year’s losing grand final squad. Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona were granted early releases, while Eli Katoa will also miss the entire 2026 campaign after emergency surgery following a series of head knocks while playing a Test for Tonga. The Storm cannot afford to lose any more representative players and have knocked back the Eels’ approach.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed the Storm had offered Parramatta about $200,000 in compensation.
The transfer fee was considered reasonable, according to the same sources, especially given Canterbury paid Wests Tigers $165,000 in compensation for the mid-season arrival of promising playmaker Lachie Galvin last year.
Any financial compensation will not assist the Eels in the open market. Transfer fees assist clubs with football operations, including pathways, but are not factored into the salary cap.
Sources confirmed the NRL is prepared to intervene if the Eels are not prepared to budge and entertain any “reasonable offers” by the Storm, or any rival club in the market for the 26-year-old.
Lomax is a NSW Origin representative, was a part of the initial Kangaroos Ashes squad and the NRL does not want to lose a player of his calibre if it is possible to keep him.
Neither the Eels nor Lomax want a reunion. Since losing Lomax, Parramatta have signed Brian Kelly from the Gold Coast.
The NRL was contacted for comment, while the Eels and Storm said there had been no fresh developments on Monday. Lomax’s lawyer, Ramy Qutami, also declined to comment.
Some rival clubs made it clear during a phone hook-up of CEOs last Wednesday that they wanted the NRL to back Parramatta’s hardline stance on Lomax. During that meeting Storm chief executive Justin Rodski was forced to defend the club’s pursuit of the star outside back.
Lomax, who posted a photo of himself at what appeared to be a Melbourne Renegades Big Bash game over the weekend, has been trying to remain in tip-top physical shape while awaiting an outcome.
Any deal put forward by the Storm will be longer than one season. Lomax’s ability to play several positions in the back line has appeal, and he adds depth to a squad that includes winger Will Warbrick (who struggled with concussion symptoms for most of last season) and young No.1 Sua Faalogo (who is likely to need a physical and mental rest at some stage during the campaign).
Lomax’s management confirmed on a podcast late last week that ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys was happy to welcome Lomax back to the NRL, and the threat of 10-year bans did not apply because the NSW Origin representative never signed a deal with R360.
Super Rugby clubs the Western Force and ACT Brumbies were keen to sign Lomax, only for the outside back to have a change of heart after Christmas.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said last week: “As far as we’re concerned, we won’t be consenting to him signing with another club unless there’s an appropriate exchange of value.
“We have had a representative player leave our roster who now wants to join another club’s roster.”
Replies
The moment V'Landy's said, not long after he was appointed, that the NRL was entertainment, and not a sport, the alarm bells for true rugby league fans should have been ringing. They certainly were for me.
The NRL want the same clubs to dominate to maximise TV revenue, much like the NFL with their 'big market franchises' such as LA Rams, KC, Philadelphia etc, and the EPL with their 'big 4' in Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City and Man United. That means Brisbane, Easts and Melbourne will always get what they want from the NRL and broadcasters to be successful. Look at the Cronk example. He was given a cushy role on Fox Sports as part of his deal to move to Easts, yet that wasn't incorporated into the Roosters cap.
Canterbury, Penrith, Parramatta are next down on the list, but only when they are winning and ceretainly don't get the same level of assistance from the central body or broadcasters.
and the problem with that is what? Parra made their bed! they just need to wake up and get out of it.
Do you really think anyone is interested in your alarm bells, yes there are favourites in the game, Cronk was a classic, but its not like he is not a good image for the game.
We are lucky we have Nathan Hindmarsh representing the Parramatta level of intellect in a public media sense.
Every dog has his day, it just that we need to get rid of the fleas before we go public in trying to fcuk anyone!
PS I am still concerned why Lomax did not want to come back to Parra, how bad an alternative are we?
If you don't think that there is a problem with the NRL and broadcasters favouring certain teams, then go and follow the NFL and EPL for all I care.
Cronk should have gone to the Tigers, or had his Fox contract included under the Roosters cap.
Not everything you say is gospel Poppa. Others can have a different view. It would pay for you to remember that.
I choose not to, I am not the whinger .... I know nothing about NFL and have no tribal interest in EPL.
If I don't have a problem and not complaining like you are, please explain why you think I should follow another code.....does not that have more application for you than me.
One final point why is my opinions always "gospel" and others not? Surely i have the right to contradict/counter an opinion as you have, to have one?
What it does Pops and you'll know this but in other guises it makes the hill that is tough to climb.Mt Isa becomes Mt Everest pretty quickly.
To true this in the nba nfl mlb it definitely works this way.Money generation unfortunately is where sport is going.Big markets are a huge example I use the Lakers as an example there brand is huge and global the latter is definitely what PVL wants as he knows the market in Australia & NZ is limited population wise.The more he gets it on TV overseas the more $$$ in the game.The watch for the purist is gone the game will never be the same again.
NBA all contracts are available to public and teams have to show that finances aren't dodgy. They miles ahead of the nrl lol
NFL also to the last cent.
100% that's the difference I think they are suffering a similar fate trying to balance entertainment & the sport in it's purist form.
Where the nrl falls down with regards to TPAs ie aftermarket contacts and opportunities.Thats what really needs to be published to show the real gulf with regards to competitive advantage.
The draft process also stops the same teams being at the top for 15-20 years, as is the case in the nrl. Gotten to the point no one really cares about who wins the comp because it's the same 3-4 teams every year
AFL love them or hate them have perfected it. Nrl is decades behind
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