LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The ongoing feud between the Melbourne Storm and Parramatta Eels regarding the future of Zac Lomax has escalated. Matt Tripp, the majority owner of the Storm, has launched a strong criticism against the Eels.
After being given the opportunity to explore options outside the NRL, Lomax was released at the end of 2025. He initially aimed to join the Saudi Arabian-backed rugby union competition R360, but this has since been delayed until 2028, leaving him without a contract for 2026.
As part of his release agreement with the Eels, specific clauses prevented him from joining another NRL club without Parramatta's explicit consent. Although it was believed that the Eels would be open to a player swap for Lomax to join the Storm, no arrangements have come to fruition with either Melbourne or other teams.
Lomax, who is recognized as an Origin winger, signed a four-year deal with the Eels in mid-2024, intending to stay through 2025 and beyond following his departure from St George Illawarra Dragons. However, his tenure lasted only one season under coach Jason Ryles.
Recently, *The Sydney Morning Herald* disclosed that Lomax had even offered to pay the Eels a substantial amount to secure his release and had expressed a desire to never play rugby league again at the time of his exit.
In an interview with *News Corp*, Tripp condemned the Eels for their management of the situation and revealed that Lomax had shown no interest in joining another NRL club, engaging instead with rugby union teams in both Australia and overseas. "The world now sees Zac as a guy who deliberately walked out on Parramatta with bad intentions," Tripp stated.