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<\/p>\nStorm coach Craig Bellamy is \u201chopeful\u201d to have rep star Zac Lomax at the club this year but concedes he doesn\u2019t know what\u2019s happening with the messy contract situation that\u2019s before the courts.<\/p>\n
Lomax was granted a release by the Eels last year under the assumption that he would join rebel competition R360, which was then pushed back to 2028.<\/p>\n
That left him without a job for 2026, with the Storm approaching the elite outside back to join them, only for the Eels to block the move given Lomax agreed to a clause in his release that said he couldn\u2019t join a rival team if he returned to the NRL.<\/p>\n
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Watch the 2026 NRL Pre-season series plus the All-Star matches LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Storm has offered cash as compensation, while there have been calls for a player swap to take place, with the case now in front of the Supreme Court with a resolution unlikely before round 1. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019d probably have to ask guys higher up than me,\u201d Bellamy said.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s happening there at the moment. It changes and then it doesn\u2019t change, so I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m hopeful (that he\u2019ll be in a Storm jersey) and we\u2019d love to see him here, but I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on there.\u201d<\/p>\n Zac Lomax continues to be linked with a possible move to the Storm.Source: Supplied<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Why Haas stunner is shades of Madge\u2019s almighty fallout with Souths icon<\/a><\/p>\n TALKING POINTS: Mystery as star tries to revive career; smokey in crucial No.7 race<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018NO LAST DANCE\u2019: But big Broncos questions linger over Haas exit <\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s been an interesting few months for Bellamy and the Storm after their second consecutive grand final defeat, with Ryan Papenhuyzen, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jonah Pezet and Eli Katoa all gone this season for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n The hits kept coming with confirmation that Storm legend and future Immortal Cameron Smith had joined Brisbane\u2019s coaching staff, with Bellamy praising his former skipper\u2019s class after he called the coach to let him know.<\/p>\n Get all the latest news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports NRL Sportmail. Sign up now!!! <\/a><\/p>\n Craig Bellamy has no issues with Storm legend Cameron Smith taking up a role with the Broncos. Picture: Kelly Defina\/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cWe tore his membership straight away,\u201d Bellamy joked, declaring Smith is the best player he\u2019s ever seen.<\/p>\n \u201cHe rang me up and explained why he took on the job. He\u2019s got no ties where he\u2019s got a contract (here), so he can do what he likes with his life.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be a great benefit to the Broncos. He\u2019s going to help out the halves and the hookers up there.<\/p>\n Tedesco not giving up on rep footy | 01:18<\/p>\n \u201cWe would love to see him here, but he lives in Queensland now, so it just fitted in with his family\u2019s life at the moment.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are no hard feelings at all.\u201d<\/p>\n While others are gone, Bellamy, 66, has agreed to a new deal to remain in Melbourne until the end of the 2028 season in a huge coup for the club.<\/p>\n 2026 SEASON PREVIEWS<\/p>\n TIGERS: Madge irony Tigers can\u2019t escape as ruthless overhaul sparks NRL reckoning<\/a><\/p>\n ROOSTERS: DCE domino effect: Inside $500k Roosters masterstroke<\/a><\/p>\n