Zac Lomax and the Parramatta Eels have settled their legal dispute with the former Kangaroos and NSW representative agreeing to not return to the NRL until the 2028 season.

The Eels agreed to release Lomax from his contract just one year into a four-year deal at the end of the 2025 season. Lomax was heavily linked with the rebel rugby competition R360.

A condition of the release was that the 26-year-old was not allowed to join another NRL club until the end of his initial Eels contract. The Melbourne Storm pursued the winger which led the Eels to launch legal action.

After months of intense negotiations between the two clubs and Lomax, it was agreed that Lomax cannot return to the NRL until October 31 2027 unless with Parramatta’s written permission.

The agreement means that Lomax can return to the NRL one year earlier than the original deadline. However, Lomax will be forced to sit out the game for a further two seasons.

The Storm also agreed to pay the Eels $250,00 in legal costs.

FULL CLUB STATEMENT FROM EELS:

The Parramatta Eels today provide the following update regarding Zac Lomax and proceedings involving the Melbourne Storm.

In November 2025 as part of Zac Lomax’s release from the remaining three years of his contract with the Parramatta Eels, Zac agreed that he would not play with another NRL team prior to 31 October 2028 without the written consent of the Eels.

Over the past two months the Eels and the Melbourne Storm have worked towards reaching an agreement to enable Zac to play with the Storm.  At no time did the Storm make an offer that could be implemented that would provide appropriate value for our football program.

The Eels and the Storm have been unable to reach an agreement for the Eels to provide consent for Zac to play with the Storm.

Today, the Supreme Court by consent made an order which has the effect of prohibiting Zac from entering into a contract, working, training or playing with any other NRL Club until 31 October 2027 without the Eels written consent.

The court order is consistent with the restraint in the Deed of Release that Zac signed with the Eels on 16 November 2025, other than the Eels have agreed that the term of the restraint will now cease on 31 October 2027 rather than 31 October 2028.  All other terms of the deed of release remain in place.

The Melbourne Storm have consented to a costs order made by the Supreme Court that the Melbourne Storm will contribute $250,000 towards the legal costs incurred by the Parramatta Eels.

The Eels are willing to work with Zac and his agent to find an NRL club that wants to sign Zac in exchange for the Eels receiving appropriate value for its football program.

Parramatta Eels Chairman Matthew Beach said: “The legal case was never about preventing Zac from returning to the NRL.  It was about ensuring that the terms of Zac’s release, which Zac agreed to after seeking legal advice, were adhered to. 

"As I have said before, contracts are an important part of the NRL as they are for every member of the community.

“The consent order made by the Court order confirms that the restraint that Zac agreed to when he signed the Deed of Release will have legal effect.  A key term of the restraint was the requirement to obtain the written consent of the Eels before Zac could sign with another NRL club.

“We would like to thank our legal team led by Arthur Moses SC, Liam Meahger and the team at Workplace Law for their guidance and advice throughout this process.

“We were always willing to consider a deal that would strengthen our football program.  After trying for over two months, we were unable to reach an agreement with the Storm.   

"We believe that Zac is a good young man and we are willing to work with him and his agent, in an open and transparent manner, to explore ways that we can reach an agreement where Zac can return to the NRL.

“While this period has presented some unique challenges, we felt strongly about standing up for what we believed to be right, and we appreciate the passion, unity and alignment we have seen from our members, fans, sponsors and everyone within the Club."