The Melbourne Storm have been warned they might have to come up with a creative solution to land former Origin and Kangaroos star Zac Lomax, after seeing their initial approach rebuffed by Parramatta. The Eels reportedly rejected Melbourne’s bid to sign Lomax for the upcoming season, despite the former rep star being left without a team for 2026.
Parramatta agreed to release Lomax from the final three years of his contract at the end of last season, on the proviso he couldn’t join an NRL rival until the end of 2028 without their permission. Both parties agreed to the deal and Lomax was widely expected to join R360 before the rebel rugby competition was forced to delay the start of its launch until 2027.
Craig Bellamy’s (R) Melbourne Storm have been warned they will have to agree on a compensation deal with Parramatta to sign former Origin star, Zac Lomax (second from left at top). Pic: Getty
The situation has left Lomax in limbo, with a potential switch to Australian and overseas rugby yet to materialise. And after seeing Melbourne’s attempt to sign him blocked, it’s understood Lomax is considering taking legal action against Parramatta to allow him to return to the NRL with another club.
However, former Wests Tigers chairman and legal expert Lee Hagipantelis suggested the former Eel could be fighting a losing battle against Parramatta, who still retain Lomax’s rugby league rights. Hagipantelis says the fact Lomax agreed to the conditions of his release with the Eels means it could prove very difficult to overturn it in a court of law.
Former Parramatta star Zac Lomax is without an NRL club after agreeing to a release from the Eels last year. Pic: Getty
Storm may have to do a deal with Eels to sign Zac Lomax
“The release between Parramatta and the player is a contract which was negotiated in good faith, and Zac entered into that contract with eyes wide open,” Hagipantelis told SEN radio. “The question now is, can he get out of that contract and if so, how?”
There are suggestions Lomax could challenge the conditions he agreed on with Parramatta as an unlawful restraint of trade. But Hagipantelis warned the former NRL star that the courts are unlikely to intervene and that it was more likely the Storm will have to stump up some form of compensation to the Eels – such as a player swap – if they want to land Lomax.
“The courts are very cautious about applying those kinds of principles just because a player has made a bad deal and circumstances have changed,” Hagipantelis added. “I think Zac is up against it, and the only way it’s going to be done is by a negotiated settlement between him, Melbourne Storm and Parramatta.
“It’s all about the C-word – compensation… What’s in it for Parramatta?” That’s where it’s going to end, I don’t think it’s going to see the inside of a courtroom.”