The Lomax Case: What Are We Missing?

To most people, me included, the Lomax thing feels pretty black and white.

He asked for a release to go to R360. He got that release on the condition he wouldn’t sign with another NRL club. He signed it. Done.

Simple. Or at least it should be.

But something doesn’t quite smell right. It can’t be that clean. There has to be something we’re missing.

He’s lawyered up, and not with someone who’s just going through the motions. You don’t dig your heels in like this unless you think you’ve got a case.

So what is it? What don’t we know?

The whole “I signed when Brad Arthur was coach and Clint Gutherson helped bring me in” argument doesn’t really stack up. He played an entire season after they were both gone and never looked publicly unhappy. And unless there’s some clause in his contract saying he can walk if the coach leaves, which we definitely would have heard about by now, that’s not something that holds much weight legally.

So what’s the angle?

Because if this was truly black and white, it would already be over.

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

  • this fucking guy

  • Lomax's legal team have already stated they believe it's a restraint of trade. They'll try and prove that the terms of the release are unreasonable and are denying Lomax the right to earn a living. 
    However the missing piece is that Parra are willing to compromise. They've made genuine attempts to resolve this. If the Eels were sitting here saying Zac can't play NRL anywhere for 3 years then I'd suspect the Court would deem that unreasonable. But the Eels are willing to work towards a fair exchange of value which I'd suggest the Court would find a reasonable approach. 
    Remember this court business came about because Lomax officially stated in writing that the release was unreasonable, couldn't be enforced and therefore he was going to sign with Melbourne regardless. That's why the Eels took this to court urgently. 

    • Lomax is basically screwed imo. 

    • It's a restraint of trade but Parra mentioned other 15 clubs and he said no. Isn't that restraining his own trade?

      • For sure it is. He has other options but only wants Melbourne. I think there's a whisper that the Storm have been behind this from the beginning. If that comes to light this could be huge. 

        • Absolutely Melbourne have been cooking this up for months, no doubt in breach of anti-tampering laws. But the NRL don't want to go digging there again. 

      • Not to mention all the other teams in Rugby he could be playing in.

    • Exactly. And the court cannot rule on what would be considered 'fair value'. That is purely up to Parramatta to decide. 

  • Just saw a delivery driver needed in prospect on seek. He can learn manual 

  • Growing rumour that Melbourne was the plan all along. No one else walked out on their contract for R360.

This reply was deleted.

More stuff to read

LB replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion The Lomax Case: What Are We Missing?
"Though Hannay might like the experience of Matto. Move Tino to Prop and Matto at Lock. Plus Matto is off-contract, bloke will perform to get one more deal."
28 minutes ago
LB replied to EelsAgeMe's discussion The Lomax Case: What Are We Missing?
"As is always the case. Human nature. There is a chance that Melbourne just drop off."
29 minutes ago
Randy Handlinger replied to Poppa's discussion Shark Attack..... Moses told to be wary of the surf!
""
34 minutes ago
Parraborn1 replied to Johnny Suede's discussion What player each NRL club would need to cough-up to snare Lomax
"I'd argue that nobody wants Lomax except for Melbourne who are desperate for short-term acquisitions. "
1 hour ago
More…