Lomax-Eels dispute ends with NSW representative in contract limbo
Zac Lomax will remain barred from returning to the National Rugby League (NRL) without Parramatta Eels' approval until 2028 after a last‑minute legal settlement was reached in the New South Wales Supreme Court, according to reports.
In the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, the court was told that a settlement had been reached and that the terms of Lomax's release from Parramatta would largely stand, NewsWire reported.
Under the settlement, Lomax remains restrained from playing in the NRL for any club without the Eels' written consent, but that restriction will now end in 2028 instead of 2029.
The deal leaves the Australian and NSW representative in ongoing contract limbo and prevents him from joining Melbourne Storm unless Parramatta signs off on the move.
As part of the settlement, the Storm must also pay $250,000 towards the Eels' legal costs, NewsWire reports.
Lomax-Eels dispute
Lomax had launched legal action against Parramatta after the club sued him to enforce the terms of his release and block a proposed switch to the Storm.
Parramatta had previously released him from a $700,000‑a‑year deal, one season into a four‑year contract, after he expressed a desire to sign with the breakaway rugby competition R360, which later collapsed and left him without a playing home.
When lawyers for Lomax and the Eels first appeared in the Supreme Court on Monday, the hearing was delayed as both sides continued negotiations.
Lomax's barrister, Adam Casselden SC, told the court his instructions were that the parties were "very close to a resolution." The matter was adjourned to Tuesday morning to allow talks to continue.
According to NewsWire, the court was told on Tuesday that an agreement had been reached, avoiding a contested multi‑day hearing scheduled to run across several dates in March.
Court documents obtained by NewsWire detail months of failed negotiations between Melbourne and Parramatta over Lomax's attempted move to the Storm.
Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp initially proposed a $100,000 transfer fee, later increasing the offer to $200,000.
According to the documents, the Storm this year made a further offer worth $300,000, including $211,000 in salary cap relief and an $89,000 transfer fee.
The documents also record a text message the Eels allege was sent on January 21 by Storm chief executive Justin Rodski to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, which read in part: "Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game."
The Eels say the message was an attempt to use the NRL to pressure Parramatta into resolving the matter on terms acceptable to Melbourne.
