Parramatta have rejected Melbourne’s audacious bid to sign Zac Lomax on an immediate deal.
It is understood that the Storm requested permission from the Eels in recent weeks to talk with the NSW and Australian flyer.
The Eels instantly rejected the initial request based on the conditional release they granted Lomax in November. However those discussions are set to continue with the Storm still keen on landing the 26-year-old who is without a contract for this season.
The Eels retain Lomax’s rugby league rights despite agreeing to release him just 19 games into a four year deal at the end of last season.
Lomax requested – and was granted – an immediate exit from the Eels to pursue other opportunities. As part of that release, the Eels strictly stipulated that Lomax would not be able to play for any other NRL club until his contract expired at the end of 2028 but would be free to play any other code. Lomax agreed to the terms of the release.
At the time it was thought that Lomax would sign with rebel rugby competition R360. But since securing his early exit from Parramatta, R360 has been forced into a delayed start and will not be able to get off the ground until at least 2028.
The Storm play the Eels in round one to kick-start the competition following the Las Vegas double header.
Lomax has been searching for a new home ever since. He had flirted with rugby including stints in Japan, France or the US while Super Rugby clubs including the Force and Brumbies are keen to secure him.
However, he stands to earn about $400,000 if he opts to switch codes in Australia – well short of the $700,000 he was set to earn at Parramatta this year.
And well down on the $850,000 he would have pocketed if he remained at St George Illawarra before he was granted an early exit from the Dragons.
The prospect of playing rugby in Australia would give Lomax an opportunity to become a dual international. He would have been part of the Kangaroos’ Ashes squad had he not ruled himself out through injury.
The Storm suddenly have salary cap space given their recent departures of Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Jonah Pezet.
The unfortunate injury to Eliesa Katoa – who won’t play this year – has also given the Storm some extra cap room too.
The Eels would be expected to ask for a player of Lomax’s ability to even consider allowing him to play against the club
The Eels have been unable to find a like for like replacement given how late in the year Lomax wanted out.
They secured Gold Coast centre Brian Kelly on a two-year deal on Monday.
Replies
He is 25 this year, already appeared in an Origin series and seen as a future captain. He has so much more potential in him and will come into his own.
Not Pat Carrigan or Murray type Lock but will be quality. Don't let his penalties take away from his quality.
I reckon they could play him at Centre as Warbrick and Coates have Wing spots if healthy, Meaney and Howarth. Howarth could be looked at to move to an edge to replace Blore.
Why doesn't Lomax just come back to parra? Surely there's more to his exit than the R360 story??
Stevo Of all our reaction on this blog which I fundamentally agree with I think your observations are much closer to a real story.
I refuse to accept that Ryles believed he was overpaid....."surely there was more to his exit". Something was/is being covered up and how bad it was would be something that Melb would need to know as well.....I am a little uncomfortable without knowing that Ryles and his Melb links are having this conversation.What the Fcuk happened?
Maybe a personality clash with one of the players or coaches? Moses and him apparently were great friends and you would think that was "glue" for him to stay.
I agree in regards to the Ryles/Melb conversations but it's a case of if you don't ask you don't get. But I do I ask if it was the Roosters or Broncos would opinions be any different?
Poppa, the source I mentioned a few times has been pretty spot on. It was mentioned to me the price of him was a factor, not main factor but it was mentioned. Lomax had no issues with Parra or Ryles, he wanted to go to R360 and travel the world. Him with the vision he signed for with BA and playing Centre was a small thing and this year took it out of him and wanted something different.
But last I heard a few weeks ago was that the R360 issue is something that has effected him and his plans.
I know you'll say I don't believe you, that's fair but just saying I mentioned he wanted out of Kangaroo's tour due to not wanting to go and get hurt, hours later he pulled out. I mentioned he got the release and the transfer fee was the sticking point.
Bridges burned? Didn't sound like it to me, but it depends on what Ryles wants and how he values Lomax and his position.
To me, because Melb requested permission to sign him immediately means he's onboard to play for the Storm. If it was just a matter of wanting to play NRL, you would think it would be in his release contract that he could come back to the Eels, pending salary cap and spots vacant.
Maybe he sees Melb as a better opportunity for a premiership... or he just wanted out of Parra and R360 was a convenient excuse
R360 was real intention.
I will add, does not mean something hasn't happened, just from what i was told doesn't seem that way and he left on pretty good terms, him and Ryles were on good terms during the process of asking for a release and getting it.
LB, I do not doubt your source, he has proven pretty accurate in the scheme of things, is he close enough to get inside Lomax's head or is just common talk by association?.....who knows, your insight is more accurate than my intuition.
All that said I smell something not right and I have been around long enough to believe where it is leaked in a lot of cases what the messager wants to send, is not always the full story.
Logic one, Parra is desperate to replace him and it is generally perceived he cannot be replaced. Why oh Why would Ryles create a reason for leaving that money was an issue, Christ he is one of the few absolute match winners we have and fills a massive gap with a generally light backline.
Maybe my cynasism is working overtime, but you are a well known correspondent on this site and leaking to you coud be very smart.....I know one thing if I was a player/manager/coach/official I would not let anyone know what I was doing outside of what I want them to know.
I will keep banging my head on the door, but I am not going to be let in unless the story can come from another source that is not just making excuses.It is very obvious to me he is not wanting to come back to Parra for all his wants and needs......this in itself is hard to understand unless something made him particularly uncomfortable while he was here.
Please do not get into the arguments about him "being not good enough".....too subjective in the circumstances of our needs.
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