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
Imagine in the NFL
Kansas City want Miles Garrett from Cleveland (one the worst teams) and say we will give you a 6th round pick. Cleveland say they want 3 1st round picks. Garrett wants to go but Browns won't let him
NFL come in and say that's a fair deal a 6th round pick for the defensive player of the year who just broke the all time sack record. Thats what this currently feels like. How can the NRL feel that's fair? When the talk about value of players all the time.
Great analogy LB.
Pretty much they want him for nothing but I'm confident Jim's got a handle on this and he's out front on this he doesn't need to say more he's outlined the clubs position has the legal grounding there's not much PVL can do even if Melbourne no doubt are planting the seed at nrl hq.
I feel too there is a bit of feeling that this will be Bellamy's last hurrah and what better way to go out then with a title? Lomax helps with that.
Well LB that's not Parras problem and it for sure isn't and shouldn't hold any sway with regards to the nrl being involved.
This purely is an A and B transaction we want this you have give up that we hold the high ground Melbourne have to pay a price not of there choosing but ours that's what bargaining from a position power gains us.Melbourne trying to muddy the waters trying to gain leverage at nrlhq is a pisstake of the highest proportion there desperate and it's there last card to draw because they'll going to get laughed out of court if it goes there.
What I'm saying is many say there is no conspiracy but there can be definitely
I wouldn't say conspiracy I'd use favouritism though there's definitely that.Certain franchises have more pull than others so indirectly they'll naturally get a better run of the green.
In an off season with the AO and big bash dominating the sporting news, what better way to have everyone talking NRL then to keep the Lomas & Eels story bubbling on the surface.
Can't wait for the Winter Olympics!
The narrative is already starting to change in the media. Last week everyone was on our side, now ........well Parra should accept some bullshit deal. Parra need to come out swinging hard. Accepting cash doesn't advance our agenda of building a premiership squad it only advances Melbournes agenda. Parra really needs to appoint a media antagonist that gets right in the grill of the NRL. Mr rent a quote every time the NRL stiffs Parra
V'Landys, despite his power in the game is not a court of law. Parra have a legally binding contract and would have very little trouble getting that contract enforced via the Courts. V'Landys can't deny a club their legal rights. The only way this gets resolved is by a negotitaion in good faith and, as Sarantinos says (as I'm sure his lawyer told him to say) "a fair exchange of value". End of.
Well they have 2 legally binding contracts
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