Melbourne Storm executive chairman Matt Tripp has taken a jab at the Parramatta Eels over the Zac Lomax situation with the NSW winger at the centre of an ugly NRL struggle. The 26-year-old winger has been in limbo ever since the Eels granted him a release from his four-year contract at the end of last season to pursue a contract with R360.
However, the competition’s start was delayed and it has left Lomax in a tricky situation without a club. A potential move to the Melbourne Storm appeared to be gathering steam for Lomax with the club seeking reinforcements after a number of players left after the 2025 season.
Melbourne Storm boss Matt Tripp has taken a jab at the Parramatta Eels having claimed they went after assistant coach Jason Ryles while he was contracted with them, as the two clubs are at odds over the Zac Lomax (pictured left) situation. (Images: getty Images)
Although the Eels hit back and ‘commenced legal proceedings against Zac Lomax’. The Eels have said they would only waive their agreement with Lomax if Melbourne properly compensated them. Last month, the Eels released a statement after claiming negotiations had broken down between a number of parties.
“We have endeavoured to resolve this by negotiations. This has included a formal independent mediation process with Zac Lomax and his legal team and representatives of the Melbourne Storm,” the statement read.
And Storm CEO Tripp has taken a swipe at the Eels for their handling of the situation. Tripp claimed Lomax never had any intention of playing for a rival club when leaving his Eels contract, until his circumstances changed.
And Tripp has referenced the Eels’ chase of their former assistant, Jason Ryles, in his suggestion they are being made out to be the ‘bad guy’ in the negotiations. “Parramatta were clearly trying to free up cap space to get Jonah Pezet, which they did by moving on Zac. If he didn’t go, could they have secured Jonah? I’m not so sure,” Tripp said to Code Sports.
“The other big thing for us was that (Eels coach) Jason Ryles was halfway through a contract at Melbourne and Parramatta came along and made him an offer. They didn’t contact us, they just did it. We allowed that to happen. No compensation. No kicking and screaming. We just accepted it because we cared for Jason and wanted to see him do well. Now the shoe is on the other foot and their behaviour appears a little odd.”
Jason Ryles (pictured) worked at the Melbourne Storm before his switch to the Eels.
(Quinn Rooney via Getty Images)Melbourne Storm look at Zax Lomax for 2026
The former St George Illawarra star became an obvious target for Melbourne after leaving the Eels. The Storm said goodbye to Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona after their grand final loss to Brisbane.
However, the Eels made it clear they would only waive their agreement with the winger if the Storm offered them something worthwhile. This prompted reports the Eels were looking for a player swap with a number of names tossed up. Although no player swap appears to be in the works with the situation under legal proceedings.
with AAP
Zac Lomax (pictured) is without a NRL club after leaving the Eels.
(Chris Hyde via Getty Images)