Why Eels fans should be “filthy” with Lomax

The Parramatta Eels have confirmed star Zac Lomax has been granted an immediate release from the remainder of his contract.

Lomax departs the Eels after one season amidst strong rumours linking him to rebel rugby comp R360.

The NSW and Kangaroos representative joined the Eels in 2025 after exiting the St George-Illawarra Dragons, acting as a key piece in Jason Ryles' new era at the club.

However, it seems likely Lomax will defect to R360, and fall under the NRL's 10-year ban for players who negotiate or sign with R360.

"The Parramatta Eels can confirm that Zac Lomax has been granted an immediate release from his playing contract to pursue opportunities outside the NRL," an Eels club statement confirmed.

"The Club would like to thank Zac for his contribution during his time with the Eels in 2025 and we wish him all the best for the future."

Reacting to the news, SEN’s Jimmy Smith says there is a major positive and a negative for the Eels in the wake of the Lomax exit.

“If you’re a Parramatta fan there is a positive and a negative,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“The negative is, ‘Hang on a minute, we went out of our way to sign this guy for four years, he played well for us, but now he’s walked out again’.

“The positive is, ‘We’ve got a fair bit of money to spend in the salary cap’. The negative associated with that is, ‘Who is around?’.”

Journalist Michael Carayannis believes Parra fans should be dirty on Lomax for departing after just one season.

“If I’m a Parramatta fan I’m filthy,” Carayannis said.

“It’s 19 games into a four-year contract. At the Dragons at least he played 100 games for them. By the end he’d fallen foul and wanted to go.

“He’s lasted 19 games at a club that you get the sense they’re building to something and he would have been an important part of it.”

Carayannis added: “Fundamentally he’s broken two contracts in two years.

“He was released from the Dragons as well. He hasn’t seen his last two contracts out in the last two years. That’s pretty rare.

“How often do you see that happening when a guy bounces from two clubs in two years with long-term deals and leaves them both?”