Zac Lomax's Storm move blocked in shock NRL twist

Parramatta and Melbourne have reached an out-of-court settlement that leaves Zac Lomax unable to join the Storm, or likely any other NRL club, until 2028.

Jasper Bruce
AAP
Zac Lomax's NRL fate rests in the hands of Parramatta for the next two years. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)
Zac Lomax's NRL fate rests in the hands of Parramatta for the next two years. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Zac Lomax’s audacious bid to join Melbourne has been blocked after the star winger agreed his NRL fate would remain in the hands of former club Parramatta for two years.

In a shock end to the NRL’s biggest off-season saga, the Storm and Eels reached an out-of-court settlement on Tuesday that gives Parramatta the power to determine whether he can return to the NRL before 2028.

The Storm will be required to pay $250,000 in legal costs to Parramatta over their failed bid to lure Lomax, who had agreed not to sign with an NRL rival when the Eels released him to join R360 in 2025.

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When the launch of the renegade rugby competition was postponed, Lomax began advances to join the Storm, triggering the Eels’ legal action in the NSW Supreme Court.

But the parties agreed the deal before the launch of a full-scale hearing, which was due to start on Monday.

Lomax, who did not attend court on Tuesday, will at least be permitted to return to the NRL for the 2028 season, which would’ve been the last year of his Eels deal.

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