Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp says he’s disappointed Zac Lomax cannot join the club for another two years after an out-of-court settlement with the Eels.
Storm football boss Frank Ponissi also defended Lomax amid the ongoing saga, saying he’s been “poorly portrayed in the media”.
Despite drawn out negotiations between both clubs, Lomax won’t be allowed to return to the NRL until 2028.
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Zac Lomax during his time at the Eels.. Getty
The Eels agreed to reduce Lomax’s time in limbo by one year, after he was originally barred from joining another club until 2029. Melbourne effectively has to pay $250,000 of Parramatta‘s legal fees too.
In a statement, Tripp accepted the call but made his unhappiness clear.
“We are disappointed for Zac and for the game of rugby league. Zac is a star player and quality person who will now remain on the sidelines until 2028,” the Storm boss said.
“We hope to see Zac return to the NRL in the coming years and haven’t ruled out the prospect of Zac playing for the Melbourne Storm in the future.
“The way Zac has handled himself through this elongated process has been incredible and we wish him every success in whatever he decides to do in the coming years.”
Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp. Â Louie Douvis/AFR
Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos has also confirmed unwanted forward Ryan Matterson was offered to the Storm as part of any potential deal. The Storm accepted that but Matterson did not want to move.
“There were a variety of different options explored, Ryan moving to the Storm that was one explored late in the piece,” Sarantinos said on 2GB’s Wide World of Sports Radio.
“That was also a matter for Ryan to determine as well, he has to have control over the destiny of his future and he chose not to take that opportunity up and he’s well within his rights to do that. Ultimately, that fell through.
“If I reflect on the discussions that have taken place over the last couple of months, we probably weren’t that close in the Storm delivering up a football outcome to us that was going to be acceptable.”
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Parramatta had also rejected a $750,000 transfer fee from the Storm too.
Lomax had walked out on a four-year deal at the end of last season under the impression he could join rebel rugby union competition R360.
But days later R360 was postponed, which left Lomax in limbo. Under the terms of his release from the Eels, Lomax couldn’t join another club until 2029.
When Melbourne tried to sign Lomax, the Eels commenced legal proceedings. Lomax could still join an NRL club before 2028 but that would require written consent from the Eels.
The Origin-class winger has copped criticism for his decision to leave the Eels after signing with the club after receiving an early release from the Dragons.
Ponissi described Lomax as a “wonderful young man” amid the furore.
“(The agreement) is disappointing for us, we’re not going to hide from it. We really wanted Zac at our football club but I’m more disappointed for Zac himself, he’s been poorly portrayed in the media,” he told 2GB.
“I’ve got to know Zac working with him in Origin for the last few years … he’s a wonderful young man and it’s been a really tough period for him over the last couple of weeks.”