Why the Melbourne Storm might have to pay the hefty legal bill of NRL star Zac Lomax as he seeks a move away from the Parramatta Eels
A high-stakes court spat over NRL star Zac Lomax could mean the Melbourne Storm end up with a hefty legal bill instead of the representative winger on their playing roster this season.
Parramatta have filed legal proceedings to stop Lomax jumping ship to their NRL rivals.
The Eels initially released Lomax amid speculation he would move to the R360 rugby union competition.
But when R360 postponed its launch until 2028 last November, Lomax was left in limbo before looking to secure a move to AAMI Park.
The switch to the Storm for 2026 onwards has been reportedly valued at $1 million.
Melbourne had indemnified the NSW Blues Origin star and the NRL club could be forced to cover his legal bill if the Eels emerge victorious in the case, the NSW Supreme Court heard during a brief hearing on Friday.
A high-stakes court spat over NRL star Zac Lomax could mean the Melbourne Storm end up with a hefty legal bill instead of the winger on their playing roster this season
The Eels initially released Lomax amid speculation he would move to R360 – but the footy star was left in limbo after the rugby competition was postponed until 2028 last November
In December, Lomax’s lawyer Ramy Qutami said the winger could play with the Storm, Perth Bears or Canberra Raiders, Parramatta’s barrister Arthur Moses SC told the court.
Whether the Eels’ withholding of consent to move to an NRL rival was reasonable or not depended on the conduct of both teams and Lomax, the barrister added.
Lomax, 26, contends this contractual restriction cannot be enforced – while Parramatta claims it is legal and valid.
Moses argued Lomax would need to be cross-examined in court and a two-day hearing set to begin on February 12 would not be sufficient.
Earlier on Friday, Lomax’s barrister Adam Casselden SC pushed for the matter to be heard swiftly.
Justice Francois Kunc told the barrister to explain why there would be consequences for Lomax if the hearing was instead heard over a week from March 2.
‘You will have to do some work to persuade me why the world will end if we push this back to the start of March,’ he said.
If the legal spat is held beyond the commencement of the 2026 NRL season, Lomax won’t play in round one.
Meanwhile, head coach Craig Bellamy has extended his time at the Melbourne Storm until 2028
The parties will return to court on February 9 to lock in the next steps.
Lomax joined the Eels for the 2025 season after seeking a release from the final two seasons of his contract with the Dragons.
Meanwhile, head coach Craig Bellamy has extended his time at Melbourne until 2028.
Bellamy, 67, replaced Mark Murray at the Storm in 2003.
‘I love this club and everything it represents, the people, our history and our fans,’ he said in a statement.
‘I’ve always said I’ll only keep coaching if the club believes I can still contribute.
‘We’ve got an outstanding coaching group, who are very capable, and I’m looking forward to helping with their ongoing development.’
