Don’t expect the Melbourne Storm to be the only club to knock on Parramatta’s door to inquire about Zac Lomax.
Melbourne came under fire from rival clubs at a NRL chief executives’ conference over their play for Lomax, but Hall of Fame halfback Cooper Cronk believes other rival teams will come knocking.
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Lomax was granted an early release from his Eels deal with three years left to run in the hope of joining R360.
Those plans, however, were curtailed when the rebel league pushed back their start date by two years.
While the Eels granted Lomax a release, it came with conditions. He is not to play for another NRL team until 2029 unless Parramatta agree.
For that to happen, the Storm or any other NRL rival will need to stump up, with Parramatta naming the three players they would consider in exchange for the Origin winger.
According to the SMH, Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu or Jack Howarth have been identified by Eels powerbrokers as players of interest.
Both Coates and Howarth are outside backs, meaning the Storm won’t add to their outside backs depth by releasing either of that pair.
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Craig Bellamy and Melbourne bosses are keen on Lomax to bolster their backline, with Will Warbrick spending time sidelined due to concussion issues.
Meanwhile, the likes of Nick Meaney and Tyran Wishart are both departing for the Bears at the end of the 2026 season and superstar fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen has been released.
Coates, Howarth and Utoikamanu are all off-contract at the end of the 2027 season, meaning they are free to negotiate with rivals from November 1.
It is unlikely the Storm will allow any of that trio to depart the club, considering their current roster concerns.
Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos made it clear Lomax will not be joining the Storm without “an appropriate exchange of value”.
“We agreed to certain terms with Zac as conditions of the release to allow him the opportunity to explore other options outside the NRL,” he said.
“We made sure there were certain protections within the release for the period he was supposed to be under contract with us, and he willingly signed up for that.
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“Things obviously haven’t worked out the way he was expecting them to, and he is now looking at other opportunities within the NRL.
“As far as we’re concerned, we won’t be consenting to him signing with another club unless there’s an appropriate exchange of value.
“We have had a representative player leave our roster who now wants to join another club’s roster.”
NRL legend Cronk explained the Storm’s move will have to come with a big carrot for the Eels — as suggested by Sarantinos.
“I think Melbourne have a right to have a go at him but the Eels have rights to Lomax,” Cronk said on the Kayo Sports NRL Podcast.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the Eels. If they get some juicy compensation, by all means, but if it’s not juicy enough, hold onto Lomax.
“It has to be good … They hold all the power here. Every club can knock on the door of Parramatta and say I want Zac but it has to be beneficial for the Eels.
“It’s purely up to the Eels and Jason Ryles and what they want to do. If they feel like they’ll get something worthwhile letting Zac go, by all means (let him go). But until that moment happens, this story will keep bubbling along until someone comes up with something.
“They (Melbourne) are not the only club who will be knocking on the Eels’ door. This will continue on.”
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The Eels are in need of outside backs following Lomax’s exit but Cronk is adamant the Storm will not be interested in a swap deal that sends either of their star wingers in Coates or Warbrick to Parramatta.
“It is the like for like replacement but it’s not going to happen so if the Storm offer a mid-tier player and some cash, if I’m the Eels, I’m saying no. I want Xavier Coates,” Cronk said.
“Obviously you’re thinking someone like Coates and Warbrick would be someone they’d (Eels) be after as an outside back,” Ennis added.
“The other one is front row. Junior Paulo isn’t getting any younger and the Storm have some good young forwards though.”
However, Ennis was skeptical in the Storm’s interest in Lomax.
“What are they chasing Lomax for?” he said.
“If you have (Sua) Fa’alogo at fullback and Coates and Warbrick on the wings, where will you play him?”
“Centre,” Braith Anasta replied, who suggested the Storm’s left centre in 2025 Jack Howarth may be better suited in the back row.
:I know we’ve been through this but I would assume that’s what they’re after him for because Jack Howarth isn’t a natural centre and you can see Melbourne are lacking firepower on their edges I believe.”
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