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Eels, Lomax rift deepens as club launches legal action
Sam Kosack • January 22nd, 2026 6:21 pm
The rift between the Parramatta Eels and Zac Lomax has deepened as the Eels launch legal action against their former star winger.
Lomax was released one year into a four-year deal with the Eels at the end of 2025 in order to pursue an opportunity with R360.
A condition of the release was Lomax could not return to the NRL until after his deal would have been completed. Lomax agreed and was subsequently released, however, the delay of the R360 competition cast doubt over his future.
The Melbourne Storm appeared as a potential landing spot for Lomax, offering Parramatta significant financial compensation to allow him to return, which the Eels refused.
Per Michael Carayannis, mediation talks have broken down between the Eels and Lomax on Thursday, leading Parramatta to launch legal action against the NSW representative.
The matter will be heard in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, with the Eels to be represented by Arthur Moses while Lomax hired top lawyer Ramy Qutami.
The Eels would be willing to allow Lomax to return in exchange for one of Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu, or Jack Howarth, however, the Storm are unlikely to agree.
In recent days, Peter V'Landys reportedly was prepared to step in and make the Eels accept a 'reasonable' deal from the Storm, or another club, in order to allow Lomax to return.
The Eels and Storm play each other in Round 1.
