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
We could use Wishart for 2027.
We have no place for Wishart in '26. If we do a trade for Lomax, it won't be for '27.
I don't think any trade will be for 2026 because our cap would be close to full. We have two spots left and they would be for minimum salary backups, not for anyone who would make our top 17.
Lb. The only other thing I heard from my source about Lomax was he was happy to play this season under the condition he would be released in time for r360 preseason which was going to be around late July.
Parramatta saw no point in keeping him if he was not committed to the entire season, saw him as over priced as JAC ( currect Australian winger)was on 300k less and played the same position .
Going off my source, there were no issues he had with Parra and Ryles. He was happy. R360 was too good to pass up and Parra found a way out where Ryles wasn't keen on the deal he had.
The fact that you got the JAC bargain was circumstantial, the Lomax loss means a lot more in our overstructure.
That said I love and support JAC just see no discussion in the relevant sense of the issue at hand,
about time management has mastered the art of negiotiations.
Seriously if he wants back to NRL, then we should be able to just get him back. That's all there is to it, no swaps no bs. He made a mistake wouldn't be the first time anyone did that ha. We absolutely need him and he needs a job.Get him back!
unless of course it's him all about wanting a premiership and it was all bs about him being happy with us (which I want to doubt) though this whole late timing of his wanting back into nrl is suss :( ie what was he waiting so long for? Eff him no back to eels then sorry sit it out buddy.
Give 'em nothing, take 'em nowhere.
The Storm can go fuck themselves. Zac's a grown up who signed and then failed to finish more than one contract, so ge can live with the consequences he also agreed to lol!
That is a great place to take them and a thoughtful gift to give them Fishy.
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