Eels launch legal action against Zac Lomax after talks fail

Representative footballer Zac Lomax and his former club Parramatta are heading to court after the player’s latest push to join NRL rivals Melbourne failed.

The Eels granted Lomax an early release from his contract in November when he had hoped to pursue a lucrative deal with rebel rugby competition R360. However, that competition has been delayed and Lomax is seeking alternative options.

One of the terms of his release was that he could not play for a rival NRL club, unless he had the Eels’ blessing, before his original contract was due to expire at the end of 2028.

Lomax is desperate to join the Storm, but the Eels will not budge unless they are appropriately compensated.

All parties met again on Tuesday in the hope of finding a resolution.

However, Eels chairman Matthew Beach wrote to members on Thursday, confirming the club was taking Lomax to court. The matter is expected to be heard in the Supreme Court on Friday.

“No Parramatta Eels member, coach or player would expect us to accept an outcome that benefits a direct competitor without a fair exchange.”

Matthew Beach

“You deserve to hear, clearly and honestly, why your club is taking a firm stand in relation to the Zac Lomax matter,” Beach wrote.

“Today, the club has commenced legal action against Zac to enforce the terms of the release we agreed with him less than two months ago.

“This is not a step we take lightly, but one we’re prepared to take to protect this club and everyone who stands with it.

“Zac’s legal team have informed us in writing that they don’t agree with the terms of the release, and as such we have been left with no alternative but to enforce our rights in the courts.”

Beach said Lomax requested a release from the Eels midway through 2025, nine months into a four-year deal, to pursue opportunities outside the NRL, specifically R360.

“We agreed to that request in good faith,” Beach wrote.

“In doing so, we included clear and reasonable conditions to safeguard the club.

“Zac accepted those terms. The agreement was formally documented and registered with the NRL. When the Melbourne Storm approached us late last year, we engaged respectfully and in good faith.

“However, the offers put forward did not come close to representing fair value for our football program or our long-term interests.

“No Parramatta Eels member, coach or player would expect us to accept an outcome that benefits a direct competitor without a fair exchange for value for your club.

“Prior to commencing the legal proceedings, we offered Zac an opportunity to work with us and his agent to explore Zac playing with one of the other 16 NRL clubs and to come to an arrangement that would result in us receiving a fair exchange of value.

“Zac declined this offer, and as such we have been left with no alternative but to protect the club’s rights in the courts.”

The Storm were prepared to pay a $200,000 transfer fee, but the Eels wanted what they felt was a like-for-like representative player, such as Jack Howarth, Xavier Coates or Stefano Utoikamanu, in return.

If the matter had dragged on much longer, the NRL was prepared to step in to bring it to a head.

The Eels will be represented by Arthur Moses, while Lomax engaged top lawyer Ramy Qutami.

The Storm and Eels have been contacted for comment.