Does Zac Lomax saga expose V'landys R360 hypocrisy?

Has the Zac Lomax Storm-Eels saga exposed a damning hypocrisy in Peter V’landys governance?

Quite possibly, according to Denan Kemp who is staggered by the efforts going into ensuring the winger is not lost to the NRL despite a forthcoming court case against his former club.

The Eels granted Lomax a release for him to negotiate and join R360, but when the Rebel League delayed its inaugural season, the NSW star began talks with Melbourne Storm.

It’s the latter that has landed the two parties in court with Lomax having agreed not to join a rival NRL club as part of his release.

Now, according to reports, the NRL is encouraging the Eels to find a solution and ensure Lomax remains in the game.

That’s a huge pendulum swing from fourth months ago when V’landys said anyone even speaking with the R360 would face a 10-year ban from the NRL.

“They (Eels) said in the contract he can’t play for anyone else, but they have now said ‘well you can we just want something good in return’,” Kemp said on SEN.

“I cannot believe we are in this situation. I am shocked with how aggressive the Storm have been. The precedent is set. If any player wants out of the Storm now, they must release them, what choice do they have?

“I have no qualms with the Storm pursuing Lomax but they have history of players wanting to leave and they have had to stay. It’s the precedent I get concerned about especially with NRL rumoured to be putting pressure on the situation, wanting Lomax back in the game.

“For a guy that chose to leave the game geez we’re bending over backwards to get him back.

“It’s not like he’s out of work; he can go and play union. We’re doing a lot for a guy who four months ago, V’landys was saying if you even speak to Rugby 360 you’re gone for 10 years, now were putting pressure on clubs to get him back in.”

Earlier this week, SEN’s Mat Rogers suggested a year on the sidelines might not be such a bad thing for Lomax who has form when it comes to walking out on clubs.

In 2024 he asked to be released from his deal at the Dragons.

Matty Johns said his wife put if perfectly when he explained the situation to her.

“My wife saw this on the news and I explained the situation to her.” Johns said. “She said ‘well I wouldn’t marry a man that had been divorced tow or three times’ and I thought, ‘that’s it’.

“We have a player here that’s broken contract there’s a pattern. Is there a guarantee for the Storm that after 12 months R360 isn’t kicking off and he’s out?”