Parramatta Eels Take Zac Lomax to Court in Explosive Contract Clash with Melbourne Storm
Parramatta Eels are preparing for a legal showdown with Zac Lomax, their former winger, after his attempts to switch to the Melbourne Storm have hit a major roadblock. The Eels have decided to take Lomax to the NSW Supreme Court following a breakdown in mediation talks between the two parties. At the center of the dispute is Lomax’s release from Parramatta at the end of the previous season, which was initially granted to allow him to pursue an R360 contract in rugby union. However, Lomax’s move to the new competition, which was originally set to begin in 2026, has been delayed to 2028, leaving the player in an uncertain position.
In the aftermath of the delay, Lomax began negotiations with the Melbourne Storm, who were eager to secure his services. However, Parramatta insists that as a condition of his release, Lomax is prohibited from joining any rival NRL clubs without the Eels’ explicit consent until 2028. The club argues that any such move would violate the terms of their agreement, which Lomax had accepted when he was granted the release.
Matthew Beach, the chairman of Parramatta, expressed disappointment over the situation, saying in a statement that the club had a responsibility to protect its contractual rights. “It is disappointing that we have reached this position,” Beach said, adding that the club had been working in good faith to find a resolution but would now take legal action to safeguard its interests.
The Storm, in turn, have reportedly been considering offloading players to help free Lomax from his contractual bind with Parramatta. Despite the breakdown in negotiations, the Eels are standing firm, demanding proper compensation for Lomax’s release, should the Storm wish to secure his services.
The Eels’ stance is clear: they expect a fair exchange of value for their football program, particularly in a situation where the Storm are attempting to benefit from Lomax’s services. Parramatta claims that Lomax was fully aware of the conditions of his release and had legal representation throughout the process.
With the dispute set to be heard in the NSW Supreme Court, the outcome of the case could have significant implications not only for Lomax’s future but for the broader landscape of NRL player transfers. The court proceedings, scheduled for Friday, will likely determine whether Lomax will be able to make the move to Melbourne or if Parramatta will retain control over his career for the next few years.
