The Rumours Thread

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Zac doesn’t give a tinkers cuss about fans, clubs and all those people (including volunteers) who made him.

He’s pretty much an embarrassment to himself and his connections.

He could be playing at SGI, following the coaches orders, hanging out with you guys, befriending newbies, lifting the club with his game.

He could be reaching for Saints and Steelers club legend status along with names too honourable to be mentioned in the same post as the selfish plank.

Give his life meaning.

 

[This Year?]

If Zac goes to the Storm and wins a premiership I will go off the deep end.

 

[The Word]

If Zac goes to the Storm and wins a premiership I will go off the deep end.

Maybe put 10 bucks on that happening so you won't feel so bad if it does?

 

[RedVee]

youtube.com/watch?v=xpvJGxol0Lc


he is an attacking weapon
ex 5/8
195cm tall
approx 107kg
lets see how he goes

Aren’t we just a way stop on his way to the Bears?

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

If Zac goes to the Storm and wins a premiership I will go off the deep end.

It sounds like the script already.

A storm grand final against Roosters in Melbourne.

He lifts the trophy in front of 200 screaming fans.

Thanks his agent and Vlandys.

“ But most of all” he says

“ I thank myself”

 

[Dragsters]

I wonder where he plays at Melbourne if that happens? If he goes back to Centre it could be very interesting. My bet is that under the Storm system, he will thrive. Most of the dumb stuff he did like the no look passes, overly aggressive tackle finishes, moodiness if things weren't going his way, will be wiped out by Craig Bellamy. He has a way of turning individuals into team players. If this happens with Zac we could well see the best of him this season. A quick winger outside him and things could really happen.

Personally I think it was pretty mutual between him and Flanagan, I was a bit upset at the time as I liked him as a player but was happy to go with Flanagan's judgement, he decided not to fight for him to stay and fair enough.

I'm not really across the details at Parra but by the looks of it they released him so he didn't breach contract as some commentators have been saying. He would've been offered mega bucks to move to Rugby 360, life changing money. Looks like the Parra contract may have been terminated before Rugby 360 committed to him so some naivety there from him or his agent, unless they paid him some kind of cancellation fee when the competition start date was postponed.

I know a lot of people hate the guy. I don't. Sometimes I like to watch the game through my 13 year old's eyes. Zac's still his favourite player, despite all the bullshit that's happened. He just loves watching him sprint forward to get under that high kick, what a sight that is. It's a simple game really, but we do like to complicate it.

If Lomax goes to the purple cheating scum and plays centre, I just can't wait for his first flick pass to the touchie

 

[Mojo]

If Lomax goes to the purple cheating scum and plays centre, I just can't wait for his first flick pass to the touchie

Zac is mind boggling both on and off the field. Obviously he’s a great athlete but StGI really gave him his opportunity for an NRL career. Basically he ended-up on the wing where opportunities for his incessant brain snaps were limited and his physicality could impose itself. Then he and Parramatta conspired against us. Very, very disappointing. Now Parramatta demand some sort of recompense. Really sad stuff IMO..

 

[possm]

There is much comment about Zac Lomax. Pros: very fit and takes many carries/ has caught a few absolutely sublime high ball jumping catches for a try ( one pearl in SOO)/ good goal kicker/ goes ok in general play and has scored running a good angle Cons: comparatively slow for a backline player and not able to sprint away for mid to long range trys or breaks/ in lateral defence can be beaten by speedster opposition / prone to trying the miracle pass in wrong situations ( in fairness one occasionally sticks). IMO many better wingers, fullbacks, centres for coin he was being paid

He was reported to be going to receive $800k plus for 2025 from us. I think Flanno saw him as not being worth that amount and happy to wave him goodbye. Reported to be on $600k at Parramatta and speculate Ryles happy to see him go and find a better home for the $600 under his salary cap.

Good luck to Zac for the future.

Our problem is, that we don't replace such a player with someone of better quality. So, we saved his 800k salary in 2025 but did not replace him with a superior player. I bet he is sorry he left, but that is all spilt milk now and I doubt Flanno would want him back.

I hope the two new signings, TU and Faye, can do the job!

 

[Stewartliddle]

Lomax is a good footy player but I'm surprised Bellamy would take a chance, I can only imagine bellyaches stress after a Lomax special into row 26 I will be watching every storm game if he signs that's for sure

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Zac is mind boggling both on and off the field. Obviously he’s a great athlete but StGI really gave him his opportunity for an NRL career. Basically he ended-up on the wing where opportunities for his incessant brain snaps were limited and his physicality could impose itself. Then he and Parramatta conspired against us. Very, very disappointing. Now Parramatta demand some sort of recompense. Really sad stuff IMO..

The compo was either Stef, Jack or Xavier. Three authentic match winners…That’s just brutal.

 

[since77]

I wonder where he plays at Melbourne if that happens? If he goes back to Centre it could be very interesting. My bet is that under the Storm system, he will thrive. Most of the dumb stuff he did like the no look passes, overly aggressive tackle finishes, moodiness if things weren't going his way, will be wiped out by Craig Bellamy. He has a way of turning individuals into team players. If this happens with Zac we could well see the best of him this season. A quick winger outside him and things could really happen.

Personally I think it was pretty mutual between him and Flanagan, I was a bit upset at the time as I liked him as a player but was happy to go with Flanagan's judgement, he decided not to fight for him to stay and fair enough.

I'm not really across the details at Parra but by the looks of it they released him so he didn't breach contract as some commentators have been saying. He would've been offered mega bucks to move to Rugby 360, life changing money. Looks like the Parra contract may have been terminated before Rugby 360 committed to him so some naivety there from him or his agent, unless they paid him some kind of cancellation fee when the competition start date was postponed.

I know a lot of people hate the guy. I don't. Sometimes I like to watch the game through my 13 year old's eyes. Zac's still his favourite player, despite all the bullshit that's happened. He just loves watching him sprint forward to get under that high kick, what a sight that is. It's a simple game really, but we do like to complicate it.

He might benefit from being inside a Melbourne system with an elite roster but he will NOT stop doing some of the braindead on field things he has always done. Flanno and previous coaches have alluded to the fact that Zac simply won't take certain pieces of advice or criticism. Bellamy might yell and burst some blood vessels when Lomax has his brain snaps but Lomax won't change.
No one will ever hear me defend Griffin as a coach and I was not happy at the time when he dropped Lomax but maybe this was one of the few things (obviously in hindsight) that Griffin got right. Maybe he was just sick of his piss poor attitude and his refusal to follow a game plan and buy into doing his role within the team. Flanno has said on record that there are certain things that are impossible to talk to Lomax about because he just won't listen.
The cavalier way he has walked out on two clubs and then had the absolute gall to want to renege on his agreement is a sign of his shitty character and selfishness. Parra fans have every right to be pissed off at his cowardly and deceptive behaviour after making a legal agreement as to the terms of his release.
It won't happen but Lomax should be made to honour his agreeement and not be allowed to play in the NRL until 2028 unless its for Parra. Zac made a decision and an agreement. It's disgusting that we live in a world where he will walk out of a team near ther bottom of the ladder, betray that agreement after he realised the consequences of his dumb decision, and then walk straight into one of the leading contenders for the 2026 premiership. But hey, apperently the state of the game has never been better.......

 

[hewi]

He might benefit from being inside a Melbourne system with an elite roster but he will NOT stop doing some of the braindead on field things he has always done. Flanno and previous coaches have alluded to the fact that Zac simply won't take certain pieces of advice or criticism. Bellamy might yell and burst some blood vessels when Lomax has his brain snaps but Lomax won't change.
No one will ever hear me defend Griffin as a coach and I was not happy at the time when he dropped Lomax but maybe this was one of the few things (obviously in hindsight) that Griffin got right. Maybe he was just sick of his piss poor attitude and his refusal to follow a game plan and buy into doing his role within the team. Flanno has said on record that there are certain things that are impossible to talk to Lomax about because he just won't listen.
The cavalier way he has walked out on two clubs and then had the absolute gall to want to renege on his agreement is a sign of his shitty character and selfishness. Parra fans have every right to be pissed of at his cowardly and deceptive behaviour after making a legal agreement as to the terms of his release.
It won't happen but Lomax should be made to honour his agreeement and not be allowed to play in the NRL until 2028 unless it’s f I could I would dou for Parra. Zac made a decision and an agreement. It's disgusting that we live in a world where he will walk out of a team near ther bottom of the ladder, betray that agreement after he realised the consequences of his dumb decision, and then walk straight into one of the leading contenders for the 2026 premiership. But hey, apperently the state of the game has never been better.......

If I could I would double like this

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I suppose he simply doesn’t comprehend the behind-the-scenes chaos it causes to the abandoned club.

The cost of Lomax’s follies:-

And as we know, once the player is secure, the club who signed him, rest up on that role and let opportunities to sign other players slip because they think they have it covered.

Clubs need depth sure, but the marquee is generally expected to play.

Moreover, I think your marquee has less of a glass stomach than less accredited players.

Let’s say on the average you have a roster of 30 players, and injuries and suspensions at any given time, you have 5 players unavailable. Thats season averages, bear with me. Thats about 17%.

In the broad, Lomax was scheduled to play 83% of his available games ( the average).

Now your abandoned club, he’s going to have to replace a player who he could have called upon for 83% of games and that takes quite an r&r effort.

Having signed Lomax, no doubt you and the eels let other opportunities go. Money was set aside and you considered it unavailable.

That’s a lost opportunity for you lads to get someone who is worth the cash and is going to stay. But he’s no ordinary player.

I suppose he could have tried to organise his own replacement through the grapevine, but nothing…

No doubt Ryles would be pretty amped up to get one over the storm as well.

I’m amazed Vlandys is asleep at the wheel here. Bellamy also has some blood on his hands for even thinking about it. Surely he’s got enough marquee without screwing over ryles?

I couldn’t care less what Lomax does, but I care about the struggling clubs and how we are supposed to progress.

Everyone is sick of the same glamour pussy clubs winning all the time and the rest of us being f**ked over, making up the numbers, cannon fodder and then being told it’s all our own fault.

The salary cap never seems to work, it’s great in theory but rubbish in practice.

Following the elite concept of the game is becoming a very bad experience for a lot of people.

 

[possm]

It seems to me that management of our 'struggling club' couldn't care less about matters such as this. I'd say that they should care deeply, and if they had denied the Lomax release and subsequently sued for breach of contract, Lomax would be reluctant to do this again. Now it seems that he thinks he can do this repeatedly.

 

[Trifili13]

I

It seems to me that management of our 'struggling club' couldn't care less about matters such as this. I'd say that they should care deeply, and if they had denied the Lomax release and subsequently sued for breach of contract, Lomax would be reluctant to do this again. Now it seems that he thinks he can do this repeatedly.

If Lomax was talking to other clubs with more than 12 months remaining in his contract without permission from the Dragon's then that's a clear breach of the rules and the club and the NRL should have taken action. If we had given him permission or there was less than 12 months on his contract there is no breach as far as I can see so you can't sue.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I
If Lomax was talking to other clubs with more than 12 months remaining in his contract without permission from the Dragon's then that's a clear breach of the rules and the club and the NRL should have taken action. If we had given him permission or there was less than 12 months on his contract there is no breach as far as I can see so you can't sue.

I think he had 2.5 years left on his existing contract.

 

[Trifili13]

I think he had 2.5 years left on his existing contract.

Then the Dragon's should have taken action against Parra for enticing a player to break their contract if the Dragon's had not given him permission to talk to other clubs. And if the Dragon's didn't take action, then the NRL certainly should have to protect the game against players and their managers doing whatever they want when it comes to breaking contracts.

 

[Gareth67]

I suppose he simply doesn’t comprehend the behind-the-scenes chaos it causes to the abandoned club.

The cost of Lomax’s follies:-

And as we know, once the player is secure, the club who signed him, rest up on that role and let opportunities to sign other players slip because they think they have it covered.

Clubs need depth sure, but the marquee is generally expected to play.

Moreover, I think your marquee has less of a glass stomach than less accredited players.

Let’s say on the average you have a roster of 30 players, and injuries and suspensions at any given time, you have 5 players unavailable. Thats season averages, bear with me. Thats about 17%.

In the broad, Lomax was scheduled to play 83% of his available games ( the average).

Now your abandoned club, he’s going to have to replace a player who he could have called upon for 83% of games and that takes quite an r&r effort.

Having signed Lomax, no doubt you and the eels let other opportunities go. Money was set aside and you considered it unavailable.

That’s a lost opportunity for you lads to get someone who is worth the cash and is going to stay. But he’s no ordinary player.

I suppose he could have tried to organise his own replacement through the grapevine, but nothing…

No doubt Ryles would be pretty amped up to get one over the storm as well.

I’m amazed Vlandys is asleep at the wheel here. Bellamy also has some blood on his hands for even thinking about it. Surely he’s got enough marquee without screwing over ryles?

I couldn’t care less what Lomax does, but I care about the struggling clubs and how we are supposed to progress.

Everyone is sick of the same glamour pussy clubs winning all the time and the rest of us being f**ked over, making up the numbers, cannon fodder and then being told it’s all our own fault.

The salary cap never seems to work, it’s great in theory but rubbish in practice.

Following the elite concept of the game is becoming a very bad experience for a lot of people.

Agree that Bellamy and the Storm club itself had absolutely no right whatsoever to approach Lomax or his agent for that matter . This was the point when the NRL should had step in and put its foot down and in particular Vlandys who came out and said that those players would not be welcomed back into the game again .

Vlandys preached the word from the NRL ‘s holy book to all and sundry , but when the time came to enforce his sermon he went to water - even going so far as to say that Lomax would be welcomed back into the game .

The head of the NRL , Vlandys should be defrocked as the chairman as he word means nothing, more so to the clubs who are towards the bottom of the competition ladder. What is the point of having 16 teams in the competition if they are not treated on an equal footing ?

Rant over !

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Agree that Bellamy and the Storm club itself had absolutely no right whatsoever to approach Lomax or his agent for that matter . This was the point when the NRL should had step in and put its foot down and in particular Vlandys who came out and said that those players would not be welcomed back into the game again .

Vlandys preached the word of the NRL ‘s holy book to all and sundry , but when the time came to enforce his sermon he went to water - even going so far as to say that Lomax would be welcomed back into the game .

The head of the NRL , Vlandys should be defrocked as the chairman as he word means nothing, more so to the clubs who are towards the bottom of the competition ladder. What is the point of having 16 teams in the competition if they are not treated on an equal footing ?

Rant over !

Yeah, in the broad, it’s become a two tier competition and there’s zero meaningful change that the salary cap was supposed to ensure.

The idea that there is a level playing field is a fiction for many practical reasons.

I’m not saying the NRL is corrupt or that officials are dodgy, it’s just that the wider measures either don’t work.

Or as you correctly point out, the laws and rules aren’t upheld

Look at these dodgy managers back in business.

And no disrespect to Flanno, but he has the same agent as players. That is called a conflict of interest for the agent.

How can Moses argue with SGI about a Bula contract when he also works for Flanno?

And Vlandys and co turn the other cheek.

And the agent schemes to take our best youngster away from us and he’s still fully registered and licensed.

 

[jak]

Agree that Bellamy and the Storm club itself had absolutely no right whatsoever to approach Lomax or his agent for that matter . This was the point when the NRL should had step in and put its foot down and in particular Vlandys who came out and said that those players would not be welcomed back into the game again .

Vlandys preached the word of the NRL ‘s holy book to all and sundry , but when the time came to enforce his sermon he went to water - even going so far as to say that Lomax would be welcomed back into the game .

The head of the NRL , Vlandys should be defrocked as the chairman as he word means nothing, more so to the clubs who are towards the bottom of the competition ladder. What is the point of having 16 teams in the competition if they are not treated on an equal footing ?

Rant over !

you're making a lot of sense this year ol fela or is ethel ghost writing for you.