Zac Lomax’s bid to join the Melbourne Storm ahead of the 2026 NRL season has erupted into a high-stakes court battle with his former club, the Parramatta Eels, threatening to reshape player contract rules across the league.
THE BACKSTORY
Lomax was midway through a four-year deal with the Eels when he secured a release in late 2025 to join the postponed R360 overseas rugby union competition (now delayed until 2028). The release included a clause barring him from signing with another NRL club until 2028 without Parramatta’s written consent – a restriction he now seeks to overturn to link up with the Storm.
CURRENT STANDOFF
The Eels have filed proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court to enforce the clause, rejecting Melbourne’s transfer fee offers of $200,000 and $300,000. A five-day hearing kicks off on March 2 – just three days before the Storm and Eels clash in Round 1 – making Lomax’s participation in the season opener highly unlikely.
Key twists include:
– The Storm has agreed to cover Lomax’s estimated $250,000 legal costs, which could trigger salary cap questions if classified as a player benefit.
– Melbourne currently has no remaining cap space for 2026.
– Lomax is prohibited from training with any NRL team while the case is unresolved.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Eels maintain the release agreement is binding, while Lomax argues it constitutes an unfair restraint of trade. The ruling could set a precedent for future NRL contract disputes. ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys has confirmed Lomax will avoid a 10-year ban if cleared, as his R360 deal predated new rules on non-sanctioned competitions.
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