Zac Lomax’s failed move to Melbourne has taken a fresh twist after Parramatta coach Jason Ryles confirmed his side’s interest in a player from a rival NRL club. Lomax’s hopes of joining the Storm this season were put to bed on Tuesday when Melbourne and Parramatta failed to reach an agreement. A Supreme Court case didn’t go ahead as planned, and Melbourne agreed to pay Parramatta’s legal costs.
The Eels also made a slight concession on their original deal to release Lomax, meaning he can now return to the NRL in 2028 (rather than 2029) without Parramatta’s written consent. Eels Chairman Matthew Beach said on Tuesday that the club’s decision to launch legal action against Lomax and the Storm was “never” about blocking his return.
The Eels have confirmed their interest in Warriors and NSW Origin prop Mitch Barnett (far right), raising the prospect of a potential swap with Zac Lomax (L). Pic: Getty
Parramatta have maintained throughout that they simply want to hold Lomax to the conditions he agreed upon when the Eels released him. And the club wants to be appropriately compensated for any deal that would allow the former Origin and Kangaroos winger to join a rival club.
Melbourne made a number of financial offers for Lomax but the Eels rejected them all. Parramatta bosses made it clear they’d only be willing to do a deal with the Storm if they got a player of similar quality in return, but neither club could reach an agreement.
Eels coach confirms interest in Warriors prop Mitch Barnett
However, Lomax could potentially still seal a move to a rival club if the right opportunity presents itself to Parramatta. And in a curious twist to the saga on Tuesday, Eels coach Jason Ryles revealed Warriors and NSW Origin forward Mitch Barnett is a player the club would be interested in recruiting.
The Warriors have said they will grant Barnett an early release at the end of this season on compassionate grounds. But like the Eels did with Lomax, Warriors bosses have insisted they want a player in return for Barnett if they’re going to allow the rep forward to join a rival club.
The Warriors are willing to grant Mitch Barnett an early release at the end of the 2026 season and Parramatta have expressed an interest in recruiting him. Pic: Getty
(Ian Hitchcock via Getty Images)
Whether that could be Lomax remains to be seen. Both the former Eels star and Barnett would have to agree to the move as well but it would certainly bring the Warriors forward closer to his family support network in NSW. And Parramatta’s coach admits Barnett is a player that certainly interests them.
“He’s certainly someone we’d potentially look at,” Ryles said on Tuesday. “He’s an Origin forward. I think that’s an area of our roster that we can certainly strengthen. I think us, like many clubs, will be obviously looking in that space.”