The Parramatta Eels have today commenced legal proceedings against Zac Lomax. The purpose of the proceedings is to enforce the release agreed in November 2025.
We have endeavoured to resolve this by negotiations. This has included a formal independent mediation process with Zac Lomax and his legal team and representatives of the Melbourne Storm. However, no deal has been reached. Zac’s legal team have informed us in writing that he does not agree that the terms of the release can be enforced against him. Regrettably, we have been left with no alternative, but to approach the NSW Supreme Court to resolve this issue.
In late July / early August, Zac requested a release from his playing contract with the Parramatta Eels to pursue opportunities outside the NRL. After a period of negotiation with Zac and his lawyers, the Parramatta Eels agreed to the terms of a release for Zac to pursue opportunities outside of the NRL. As part of the release granted on 16 November 2025, the Parramatta Eels included conditions to safeguard the Club.
One of those conditions was that Zac could not join another NRL Club before 31 October 2028 without our express written consent.
This protected the Parramatta Eels (and its Members and fans) from a football perspective heading into the 2026 season. It ensured the Club would not lose a representative player to another NRL club without receiving adequate compensation/benefit during the period of Zac’s original contract. Zac agreed to that condition after receiving legal advice.
Parramatta Eels Chairman Matthew Beach made the following comments:
“It is disappointing that we have reached this position, but we have an obligation to the Club’s stakeholders to protect the contractual rights of our Club and the expectation of our Members, players and supporters that contracts will be honoured.
“Back in November 2025, we granted Zac Lomax’s request for a release to pursue opportunities outside the NRL on the condition that he would not return to the NRL during the period of his original playing contract with our Club, without our written consent.”
”Zac had legal representation during the negotiations of his release. Zac accepted those conditions on the basis that he told us that his interests were focused on pursuing opportunities with rugby union, particularly R360. The release documentation was registered with the NRL. The NRL are aware of the conditions associated with the release.
“Our Club believes in the importance of observing contractual obligations. Contracts allow Clubs and players to operate with certainty and within a framework of rules. Contracts are the very stuff that any member of the community and companies have to honour in order to ensure that there is fair dealing. The same applies to the NRL, Clubs and players.
“Late last year, when we were approached by Melbourne Storm, we engaged with them in good faith however we have not been able to come to an agreement that would represent sufficient value for our Club, particularly in relation to our football program. The guiding position of our Club has been to ensure a fair exchange of value for our football program in circumstances where the Storm are attempting to obtain the benefit.”
“Zac and his agent still have an opportunity to work with us to explore options with the other 16 NRL clubs. Notwithstanding this action, we remain open to discussions with any Club who may be willing to offer the appropriate value for our football program.”
“Our coaching staff, players, Members and fans would not expect us to consent to the release based on what has been offered, and therefore we have no alternative but to pursue legal action to enforce the terms of the release and protect the rights of our Club.”
Arthur Moses SC has been retained by the Parramatta Eels to represent its interests in court,” added Beach.
Replies
It serves Parra to have this sorted quickly so if Melbourne are forced to hand over a player if they want Lomax, we get that player before the season starts.
And you don't just wake up one morning and decided to go to the Supreme Court. It's likely we've been preparing for this for weeks and it's now come to a point where all other mediation and negotiation has failed, so we're off to court.
Nah, that doesn't get you an immeadiate Supreme court hearing. The Nrl indicating that they would register the contract this week against our wishes would though.
The court can't make a player move to Parra, unless a player wants to go to Parra and I just don't see an upside for any player other than stefano utoikamanu if he was home sick which I don't believe he is. Why would Coates or Howarth want to go to Parra?
Playing in the Melbourne system is as close to a guarantee of improving your game and playing finals than any club and it has made Utoikamanu a SOO player which is an additional 100k a year.
The court will either block him going there, tell them to give us a player but that is still dependent on the player wanting to leave or make Melbourne pay out his full 3 year contract value which Tripp can afford. It is then up to the NRL if that affects the salary cap, and the NRL have already shown their cards by backing Melbourne on this and with previous transfer payments for players off the cap.
I just want to sit him out for this year and then write it off.
I wonder with it going to court how much will come out about storm actions and Zach contact with other clubs while he was under contract ? Seems like Parra has done everything legally correct but Lomax and Storm might be sweating a little and nrl to. Might bring some things to light
It won't. The court will interpret the contract.... But we can drive that narrative out of court if we want and demand investigation, while selectively leaking comms. Fuck these guys. We need to make them think twice about fucking with us for a while.
I do remember the nrl investigating Brisbane for any contact with Ben hunt before his contract was up but they couldn't prove it. If any emails or paper trail shows Zach was in contact with the storm while under contract at Parra, could be a big issue for Melbourne and the nrl
It'll be about the amount of compensation.
A smart play by Parra. You can read it in the club statement - they are putting the focus on the compensation to our football department (ie the transfer fee).
If we talk about fair value transfer fee for Lomax to play for the Storm the Eels obviously want to make the number prohibitively high to the Storm so they opt for a player swap instead (in which case we get to say a player of equal quality).
The Storm showed their hand with the 200k offer. I'd say we've asked for a damn lot more than that and said "or give us one of these 3 players and then just chip in 100k and we'll call it a deal".
We can't force them to send a player to us, but we can make it the only reasonable choice which means Melbourne have to put the hard word on one of those three players if they actually want Lomax.
They're trying to have their cake and eat it too. Probably taking their chances on the fact that the court action will fail.
We've all shown our cards. It's up to the courts now. Either way Lomax gets considerable brand damage through this.
Of course they want their cake and eat it too, it's Melbourne who for decades got their way. No someone is standing up to them and the NRL is stunned, plus the NRL world is behind the underdog.
Though there could be a chance that Melbourne just drop off. Not worth the hassle.
It kind of is dragging the storm through the mud with Lomax to, rest of the nrl hate them now 🤣 it's played out well
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