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
I would hate the draft process. I love watching the juniors and seeing them progress through the grades into FG for parra. That largely becomes futile if the draft process comes in. The reason the same team is at the top is not because of no draft system. Its because of the coaches and people running the club.
Draft systems don't solve the issue of poorly run clubs (see, Cleveland Browns, New York Jets). They can also kill or damage a player's career. See Sam Darnold being drafted by the Jets, playing poorly, then getting bounced around as a backup before landing a starting gig at a competent side and playing for Seattle in the playoffs.
Imagine Penrith pour all of that time into developing Cleary, then he gets to the draft and Newcastle select him. He probably never ends up being the player he is outside of the support and professionalism of the Panthers.
A draft would mean basically scrapping the entire junior system as it exsists. It would provide no incentive to clubs to support a junior pathways program or invest in junior coaching. I think that would be an incredibly negative outcome for the game itself in talent identification and development.
You also have the age issue. The AFL draft is used for 18 year olds, whereas the NFL, because of its college requirements, means most players are at least 21 (they have to be 3 years out of high school before becoming eligible).
Don't get me started with Draft. It can work but the RLPA won't let it work. It would be a nightmare.
Yes - the whole junior development system should be centralised to the NRL itself, funding included which all clubs must contribute an equal amount into to hold their licence. Make a whole standalone division that does nothing else but junior development which encompasses both cities and regional areas.
Then, you can implement a rookie draft.
AFL love them or hate them have perfected it. Nrl is decades behind
Good point Coryn, Test Cricket is a great example, I'm a purist and love Test Cricket, not so much the shorter versions of the game. The inevitability of the games profitability is audience participation and parental involvement in the shorter commercial game. Boys and Girls are now playing the game at school as well because it's timing allows easy organisation for a number of teams, not just the 11 picked on a Friday afternoon.
That said as a past president of Brisbane Junior Cricket I appreciate the income that filters down and also the extra participation of young kids who previously never played the game past a year or to because they had low participation levels for the not so gifted. All ball skils are wonderful for childrens development!
As an aside to that I can imagine being a fly on the wall for all us old purists, saying " I can't believe he played that shot, in a Test Match LOL"
EPL is an example. Man City done with breaking all these transfer rules, keep appealing and nothing happened. Everton do the same automatic 6 point deduction no chance to appeal.
National Rigged League. 200k compensation laughable. Anyone know how much Melbourne wanna pay Lomax per season?
Rumour is $350-400k
I do not know how much however I do know Sean Russell was offered $375k to stay here . The bears offered $525k 4 years.
I would expect Lomax would be getting substantially more
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