The Parramatta Eels have revealed they’d be happy to release Zac Lomax to another NRL club as long as the right deal is struck between the two parties. But an agreement with the Melbourne Storm couldn’t be reached.
Lomax’s hopes of joining the Storm were ended on Tuesday when Melbourne and Parramatta failed to reach an agreement. A Supreme Court case didn’t go ahead as planned, and the Storm agreed to pay the Eels’ legal costs.
Zac Lomax’s hopes of playing NRL in 2026 aren’t necessarily over. Image: Getty/AAP
The Eels were reportedly hoping the Storm would take on Ryan Matterson and his $400,000 contract as part of a deal to sign Lomax as well. But when Matterson reportedly refused to join the Storm, the Eels declined to budge and chose not to release Lomax to Melbourne.
The Eels have relented slightly from their original exit agreement with Lomax in that he can now return to the NRL in 2028 (rather than 2029) without getting written consent from Parramatta. Any move to join another NRL team before 2028 would need to be approved by the Eels.
Parramatta happy to release Zac Lomax for right deal
While it looks like Lomax won’t be playing NRL for the next two years, that’s not necessarily the case. Speaking on Tuesday, Parramatta Eels chairman Matthew Beach said the club is willing to work with any NRL team that wants to sign Lomax so long as an appropriate deal can be struck.
“The legal case was never about preventing Zac from returning to the NRL,” Beach said in a statement. “It was about ensuring that the terms of Zac’s release, which Zac agreed to after seeking legal advice, were adhered to. As I have said before, contracts are an important part of the NRL as they are for every member of the community.
“The consent order made by the Court order confirms that the restraint that Zac agreed to when he signed the Deed of Release will have legal effect. A key term of the restraint was the requirement to obtain the written consent of the Eels before Zac could sign with another NRL club.”
Zac Lomax departs the NSW Supreme Court.
(AAPIMAGE)
According to reports, the Storm sounded out Lomax about a move to Melbourne before speaking to Parra. Beach said the Eels were “always willing to consider a deal that would strengthen our football program”, but it didn’t come from the Storm “after trying for over two months”.
He added: “We believe that Zac is a good young man and we are willing to work with him and his agent, in an open and transparent manner, to explore ways that we can reach an agreement where Zac can return to the NRL.
“While this period has presented some unique challenges, we felt strongly about standing up for what we believed to be right, and we appreciate the passion, unity and alignment we have seen from our members, fans, sponsors and everyone within the club.”
The Eels’ position means Lomax could still sign with an NRL club in 2026 so long as that club offers Parramatta what they’re seeking in return. In theory he could end up at the Warriors because Parramatta are said to be keen on Mitch Barnett, who’s been granted a release by the Kiwi club so long as they get a player in return. He could also wind up playing for a club that Melbourne consider an arch-rival.