Parramatta Eels captain Mitchell Moses has publicly thrown his support behind the club as tensions escalate in a high-profile legal dispute involving former star winger Zac Lomax, with the matter set to drag into the start of the 2026 NRL season.
The conflict stems from Lomax’s departure from the Eels in November 2025, when he was released from the final three years of his contract to join the Saudi Arabian-backed R360 rugby union competition. However, R360 has since delayed its launch until at least 2028, leaving Lomax in limbo and prompting him to seek a return to the NRL with the Melbourne Storm.
As part of his release agreement, the Eels included a clause that prohibits Lomax from signing with another NRL club until the end of 2028 without their written permission. The club has rejected two financial compensation offers from the Storm ($200,000 and $300,000) and has taken legal action in the NSW Supreme Court to uphold the contract, while Lomax argues it constitutes a restraint of trade and that the Eels did not negotiate in good faith.
Initially scheduled for a hearing this week, the case has been delayed until March 2 – just three days before the Eels and Storm are set to face off at AAMI Park in the opening game of the Australian leg of the NRL season. Until the matter is resolved, the NRL has banned Lomax from training with the Storm, putting his hopes of a Round 1 debut in serious doubt.
In a statement on February 10, Moses confirmed the playing group stands behind the club’s position: “We’ve moved on from Zac’s departure, and we support whatever decision the club makes here – it’s beyond our control, but we understand they’re protecting the team’s long-term interests and the integrity of contracts.”
The NRL has indicated it is monitoring the situation closely. CEO Andrew Abdo said he wants “the best athletes in the world playing in the NRL” but noted any changes to contracting rules would need careful consideration. ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys has also clarified that Lomax will not face a 10-year ban for his involvement with R360, as he is believed to have entered talks before the league’s sanctions were announced.
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