Eels Blogs

Ok so this is a hypothetical blog of 'what if?' since there is nothing much else to do til trials in about 6 weeks time. So with the news that Melbourne are after Zac Lomax. Firstly, why would Melbourne want Lomax? Well as a Centre it seems since Howarth had a shocker in the GF and then got hurt, plus he would be looking at transitioning into a back-rower with Blore looking at leaving. Meaney also is being heavily linked to Perth. 

Next question, could he come back? Well of course he can but i think that lies on Parramatta and Ryles not so much Lomax. All well and good saying "Lomax should just come back" when we should be asking do we even want him back? I have mentioned numerous times about my connection and wont go through it again you can see it on the other blog. But though i have not heard of any unrest of big issues, there is a chance there was something that did not sit right with Ryles and maybe Lomax and him talked it out and managed to make it civil enough for the release. That part i do not know at this stage. But could he come back? Sure, why not.

Another question, can Melbourne ask Parramatta to sign him. Well yes they can and Parra have every right to say no or yes as they see fit. Can Melbourne talk to Lomax? Well technically no but it's the NRL teams, including Parramatta, talk to players before their contracts are near done. Whether they talk to Lomax or not, it doesn't change whether we agree to a deal or not for Melbourne to sign him. Melbourne can do what they like with him, we have to agree so it doesn't matter, i wont go down the route of moral highground as all clubs would do it and do it themselves.

One report suggests we are interested in a like for like trade. No sure how true but if an approach was made in November, makes sense we have a door open to talk. Ryles connections help bridge that gap to a civil negotiation.

Anyway, what happens next? There are three options. 1) We dig our heels in and say you are not playing in the NRL until 2029 the earliest. 2) We negotiate a player swap or two for positions that we need to boost our squad. 3) We let Lomax go for nothing. Now #3 is plain idiotic and everyone from Ryles, MON, Sarantinos, Rogers, Beach and you know what throw Sparkey in there cause why not, deserve to be sacked on the spot for agreeing to it. 

We have leverage for a change and should use it. I said when he was released we are in a decent spot where we can demand something that we want to let him go. 

Now what would i prefer? I am leaning on trading. Why? Well i feel a chance to make this squad stronger, in a time where it seems difficult to convince certain players to come here, might be a nice opportunity. Considering we get no value off Lomax collecting dust. I know you will say "We still need to convince players to agree to the trade" though one difference is we are not competing with other clubs for that player, we have a clear path. Had we only wanted KK, we get him. Why not use it to get a player or two?

On the other hand, does it sit right with me? No, it doesn't. Seeing him line up with a club like Melbourne, having a chance to win a comp, 2 months after agreeing to not go to another NRL club til 2029? Granted R360 was still a thing at time of release but still doesn't sit right with me. Rather him go to Wests. If there is any sense of optimism, Melbourne finally seem to be heading towards a mini rebuild of sorts and their rein could be over for now. GF this year seemed to be their last chance and Bellamy knew it. 

Now, for fun, let's go through options shall we?

Will Warbrick: A popular choice for some, a logical one too in that he is off-contract this year. He is a NZ international, is a massive Winger who can score and rack up countless metres. Sounds great right? Well the issue is around him missing a big portion of 2025 with concussion. It is not like a torn ACL where once recovered he is more likely ready to go, concussions are unpredictable and players can have reoccurring problems later on. Is it less likely? Yeah but still a worry. But if we are fine with his medical, is he a worthy swap? I would say yes. Scary thing is, i do not think he is the finished product. 

Shawn Blore: We are looking for a middle. Issue is, so are Melbourne. But why not go for an edge and use Williams as that middle? Blore had a nice 2025 season, coming into his own as a player. He had a decent 2024, taking his time to eventually get into the 17...once the Tigers scent was removed. Blore has also expressed a possible desire to return to Sydney. A concern for me is how much is it Blore being great and how much is it him being in the Melbourne system? Blore on the contrary was good but not amazing either. He is a steady, quality edge back-rower, though he is worth swapping one for one with Lomax? Nah.

Trent Loiero: This one is wishful thinking, however if we could pull it off what a coup he would be. Loiero would be perfect middle for us as he comes into his own as a leader and worker. Playing a full year in Origin would help as well. Issue is, Melbourne see him as a future captain and are having issues with middles themselves.

Xavier Coates: This one i would like but again i see this one as not happening. Mainly as i believe Coates is eyeing being the face of the PNG Chiefs. But if you can get him then great, just hope he can swap to the right Winger easily. 

Jack Howarth: Melbourne have spent years developing him, his future is on an edge but for some reason he has just not broken out as intended. He is 24 this year and already played in two GF's. If Melbourne cannot get the potential out of him, can Ryles? If he is one we get, do you persevere with him at Centre or bite the bullet and fast track his progression to the edge? Howarth is talented and a future QLD Origin player if all things go as planned, but his defence in the GF, before his injury, was woeful. Is that something that needs a proper pre-season to fix further on top of getting to know a new team quickly?

Now i want to list players if there is a two for one, meaning if we cannot agree on one great player how about a decent with another decent like Blore and another for example. I know unlikely Melbourne give up a second player.

Lazarus Vaalepu: He is a big boy, 27 this year so he is older while not as experienced. Is he a type that can play a role off the bench? Yeah he can. Played in the 2024 NRL GF off the bench. Though if he is to have a boom year, it has to be this year. But is he worth a gamble? Perhaps.

Moses Leo: Since Meaney is going, seems likely he will be the other Centre. But if we can nab him, what a nice pick-up. Impressed in his limited minute for Melbourne last year.

Josaiah Pahulu: A kid with loads of potential. Fell out of GC with the whole bonus situation where he didn't get his bonus as he needed to play 20 games and Hasler rested him in the final game. Talk was he was off to the Dogs but then ended up in Melbourne. Is he worth it? Well he didn't get a game with Melbourne despite their issues with middles. Plus we have some decent middles in the likes of Tuivaiti, Talagi, Brown etc coming through lower grades. I mean give him a go but seems he is not the real deal, well not yet. 

Ryles knows these players, that helps. But Parramatta can use this to their advantage to improve their squad, which is never a mistake to do. Could we trade Matto too? I mean that would make a two player trade palatable, particularly if Melbourne want another middle.

Again this is a bit of fun to form discussion.