Eels and Storm Negotiate to Avert Last-Minute Lomax Trial

The ongoing contract dispute involving Zac Lomax has taken a new turn as his hearing at the NSW Supreme Court was delayed. The delay was initiated due to last-minute negotiations between his current club Parramatta and NRL rivals Melbourne. The primary aim is to find a resolution that would prevent court proceedings from escalating.

Zac Lomax’s Situation

Lomax, a former Eels player, aims to join Melbourne immediately. He was granted a release from Parramatta to join the now-postponed Rugby 360 competition. However, his prospective move faces significant hurdles.

Parramatta maintains that Lomax agreed not to join a rival NRL club before October 31, 2028, without obtaining their written consent. This clause is a pivotal point of contention as it relates to the terms of his release from his $700,000-a-year deal.

Court Proceedings Adjourned

The Supreme Court hearing, overseen by Justice Francois Kunc, was initially adjourned for 90 minutes following a request from Lomax’s barrister, Adam Casselden. This adjournment was requested before court proceedings began.

Prominent figures from Parramatta, including CEO Jim Sarantinos, chairman Matthew Beach, and football manager Mark O’Neill, were present. They were informed of ongoing negotiations between the Eels and Storm that aimed to settle the dispute amicably.

Negotiations and Offers

• The Eels have rejected multiple offers from Melbourne, including:
• $100,000
• $200,000
• $300,000
• These offers contain a $211,000 salary cap component intended to assist in managing Ryan Matterson’s wage.

Negotiations so far have involved proposed player swaps and transfer fees but have yet to reach an agreement, leaving the situation unresolved.