Zac Lomax

[Angry_eel]

Do we know that he isn't training with a team at the moment? I suspect that he is, somewhere south of our state border...

Agree the likely answer for Zac which complies with the conditions of release from his Eels/NRL contract is to play rugby league in Europe, or rugby union anywhere. We are within our rights to refuse to agree his NRL participation with an opposing club that doesn't reasonably compensate us for the loss of a contracted Origin and (selected National) level player.

Problem for Zac is that he likely doesn't want to entertain the drop in (potential/expected) income, that would come with not being able to play for an NRL that can afford him under the cap but low-balls us for the value of the lost contract/release.

Are you saying a contracted NRL player can just go to another NRL team and train?

I am not saying he can't, I am assuming he can't. Unless Storm are sending a trainer to the Werribee Bears to train him.

 

[Eelementary]

Are you saying a contracted NRL player can just go to another NRL team and train?

I am not saying he can't, I am assuming he can't. Unless Storm are sending a trainer to the Werribee Bears to train him.

I am sure that it is far more complex than my simple mind can comprehend, but I'd imagine that one big factor in his not being able to train with another NRL team would be his insurance - what would happen if he was training with Melbourne, fell, and broke his leg?

He's not contracted to the Storm.

And the Eels certainly won't be footing that bill.

 

[Captain Apollo]

Do we know that he isn't training with a team at the moment? I suspect that he is, somewhere south of our state border...

Agree the likely answer for Zac which complies with the conditions of release from his Eels/NRL contract is to play rugby league in Europe, or rugby union anywhere. We are within our rights to refuse to agree his NRL participation with an opposing club that doesn't reasonably compensate us for the loss of a contracted Origin and (selected National) level player.

Problem for Zac is that he likely doesn't want to entertain the drop in (potential/expected) income, that would come with not being able to play for an NRL that can afford him under the cap but low-balls us for the value of the lost contract/release.

In actuality, I'd doubt he would be training with any NRL team. Mainly because he wouldn't be covered by respective worker's compensation laws nor any team's health insurance policies as he's not an employee of anyone at the moment.

 

[85 Baby]

On top of insurance, I think him further ignoring contractual matters to train with specifically the Scum would further paint him in certain light to Justice Kunc.

 

[the phantom menace]

Are you saying a contracted NRL player can just go to another NRL team and train?

I am not saying he can't, I am assuming he can't. Unless Storm are sending a trainer to the Werribee Bears to train him.

I'm not 100% sure... but it is "train and trial" season, after all?

Zac's release from us placed conditions on him signing another NRL contract without our approval - not about who he hangs out with and what he does with his free time. And the Storm boys all seem to speak like they've been hanging out in some way.

 

[the phantom menace]

In actuality, I'd doubt he would be training with any NRL team. Mainly because he wouldn't be covered by respective worker's compensation laws nor any team's health insurance policies as he's not an employee of anyone at the moment.

Yes, that's a very good point.

Maybe Zac's just occasionally doing some PT at the same location and time as Storm employees do their training as an NRL team?

 

[the phantom menace]

 

[Gary Gutful]

I am sure that it is far more complex than my simple mind can comprehend, but I'd imagine that one big factor in his not being able to train with another NRL team would be his insurance - what would happen if he was training with Melbourne, fell, and broke his leg?

He's not contracted to the Storm.

And the Eels certainly won't be footing that bill.

Leg? Footing? Well played.

 

[TheParraboy]

I was at the eels forum in Kellyville yesterday

They kept Lomax chat to a minimum as its before the courts now, but we will be fighting it

The Chairman said
"We don't want to go to court, but we have every right to do so"


In regards to losing Lomax next 3 years.
Ryles mentioned that we have Bailey Simmonson who before he was injured was probably our best player
Sounds like Bailey will get first crack at that wing spot

 

[the phantom menace]

Re Ryles' comment about Bailey... the more I think about it, the more I think Brian Kelly was signed as back-up for 2026.

I think Russell - a current PM XIII rep, played 20 NRL games last year - will get picked ahead of Kelly initially. Kelly seems more of journeyman outside back signed to have up your sleeve when needed (or on the extended bench). Good quality back-up, but Kelly was released from the lowly Titans, hasn't played PM XIII since 2018.

And we're bound to have some backline injury, rep selection etc anyway that will enable Kelly to get his share of 2026 NRL games. And then in 2027 Kelly simply fills the spot that Russell will vacate.

2 Simonssen
3 Penisini
4 Russell
5 Addo-Carr

 

[Gary Gutful]

Simmo is solid, my only issue is our back three is on the smaller side. Can they lay a proper platform at the start of each set?

 

[Noise]

Re Ryles' comment about Bailey... the more I think about it, the more I think Brian Kelly was signed as back-up for 2026.

I think Russell - a current PM XIII rep, played 20 NRL games last year - will get picked ahead of Kelly initially. Kelly seems more of journeyman outside back signed to have up your sleeve when needed (or on the extended bench). Good quality back-up, but Kelly was released from the lowly Titans, hasn't played PM XIII since 2018.

And we're bound to have some backline injury, rep selection etc anyway that will enable Kelly to get his share of 2026 NRL games. And then in 2027 Kelly simply fills the spot that Russell will vacate.

2 Simonssen
3 Penisini
4 Russell
5 Addo-Carr

Kelly will be left centre.

 

[Sensei Cobra]

Simmo is solid, my only issue is our back three is on the smaller side. Can they lay a proper platform at the start of each set?

*cable

 

[Timana]

Re Ryles' comment about Bailey... the more I think about it, the more I think Brian Kelly was signed as back-up for 2026.

I think Russell - a current PM XIII rep, played 20 NRL games last year - will get picked ahead of Kelly initially. Kelly seems more of journeyman outside back signed to have up your sleeve when needed (or on the extended bench). Good quality back-up, but Kelly was released from the lowly Titans, hasn't played PM XIII since 2018.

And we're bound to have some backline injury, rep selection etc anyway that will enable Kelly to get his share of 2026 NRL games. And then in 2027 Kelly simply fills the spot that Russell will vacate.

2 Simonssen
3 Penisini
4 Russell
5 Addo-Carr

With the extended bench, i think it would either be Russell or Kelly.

Without, we mightve seen joash put there maybe with pezet defending at centre

But now joash will be the utility back on the bench

Is Kelly related to stu? I liked stu back then and Brian Jackson

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Is Kelly related to stu?

Albert

 

[Twizzle]

View attachment 109588

It would be funny if Bellyache had a say in it, the 2009 trophy was the NRL's call

 

[The Predictor]

Re Ryles' comment about Bailey... the more I think about it, the more I think Brian Kelly was signed as back-up for 2026.

I think Russell - a current PM XIII rep, played 20 NRL games last year - will get picked ahead of Kelly initially. Kelly seems more of journeyman outside back signed to have up your sleeve when needed (or on the extended bench). Good quality back-up, but Kelly was released from the lowly Titans, hasn't played PM XIII since 2018.

And we're bound to have some backline injury, rep selection etc anyway that will enable Kelly to get his share of 2026 NRL games. And then in 2027 Kelly simply fills the spot that Russell will vacate.

2 Simonssen
3 Penisini
4 Russell
5 Addo-Carr

Kelly will b starting

 

[emjaycee]

O'Neill made a comment about Kelly's attack being a strength but that his defence needed some work.

Nothing we didn't already know, but good to hear they recognise it and are no doubt working on it.

 

[the phantom menace]

Personally if everyone's fit I'd still start Russell over Kelly for his defensive qualities, while Russell's still contracted.

Kelly can be in the new extended 19-man squad, and easily brought on for impact second half if we need to catch-up points. I guess Joash is the extended bench cover for fullback and halves, and the other 4 bench spots go to forwards (including De Silva as dummy half relief).

 

[Delboy]

Explosive courtroom documents obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed that the Melbourne Storm asked the NRL to "apply the blow torch" to Parramatta to release Zac Lomax.

A slew of documents released in the Supreme Court revealed that during a phone call between Storm chair Matt Tripp and Eels supremo Matthew Beach on January 13, that the Eels again rejected a $200,000 release fee.

“During the telephone call, Mr Tripp referred to the possibility of punitive steps being taken by the NRL against Parramatta Eels in relation to its salary cap if Parramatta Eels did not agree to the proposal being put forward by the Melbourne Storm,” according to a document the Eels tendered to the court.

“This assertion by the Melbourne Storm was intended or had the tendency to exert pressure on the Parramatta Eels in circumstances where the NRL had never communicated such a stance to the Parramatta Eels.”

It was further revealed that an alleged text from Storm CEO Justin Rodski to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on January 21 was used to try and have the NRL pressure the Eels into a release.

“Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on parramatta [sic] to get this done.

Rodski added: “Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/st...-get-lomax-transfer-done-20260213-p5o224.html

What the Storm doing something against the spirit of the game and contracts, surely not. Hardly a surprise and let’s see if PVL and Abdo act in the interests of the game more than one club.