Lomax's Melbourne Storm Switch Faces Major Legal Delays Amid Vegas Trip and NRL Involvement
Zac Lomax's anticipated move to the Melbourne Storm has encountered significant setbacks, with a Las Vegas excursion by a key figure and the fresh involvement of top NRL officials delaying a crucial court outcome. The NSW star's potential switch for the 2026 season is now mired in legal complexities that threaten to push any resolution well into the NRL season.
Subpoena Targets NRL Chiefs V'landys and Abdo
Parramatta Eels' legal team has served the NRL with a subpoena, compelling evidence from NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chair Peter V'landys. Both executives were actively involved in discussions concerning Lomax's future, and the subpoena, issued in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, must be returned by February 27. This legal manoeuvre underscores the high-stakes nature of the dispute, as Parramatta seeks to uncover details of negotiations that could influence the court's decision.
Court Proceedings Extended Amid Travel Conflicts
The final hearing date has been postponed to allow Parramatta to cross-examine Storm chair Matt Tripp, whose credibility is central to the case. Tripp's planned trip to Las Vegas for the NRL opening game at Allegiant Stadium initially threatened his testimony, but the court has permitted his travel. He will now give evidence on March 13 upon his return to Sydney, despite protests from Parramatta that two of their witnesses cancelled similar Vegas trips to testify in person.
Eels barrister Arthur Moses SC has highlighted Tripp's alleged threats, claiming the Storm boss implied the NRL could impose salary cap sanctions on Parramatta if they blocked Lomax's move. The NRL has denied these allegations, raising questions about the veracity of the claims. Moses pointedly asked, "Did Tripp make it up? Or who's telling the truth?" adding a layer of intrigue to the proceedings.
Storm's Urgency Grows with Injury Crisis
Melbourne's pursuit of Lomax has gained added urgency following the injury to star winger Xavier Coates, who is ruled out until round 10. While Sua Faalogo could potentially fill the gap, he is needed at fullback after Ryan Papenhuyzen's departure in October. This shortage has intensified the Storm's need for Lomax, making the court battle critical for their season prospects.
Lomax, who left the Eels in November after a failed bid to join the R360 rugby union competition, is seeking to void his $700,000-a-year contract through a NSW Supreme Court lawsuit. Parramatta contends he required their permission before moving to another NRL club, setting the stage for a protracted legal fight.
Financial and Legal Stakes Escalate
Melbourne has made three separate offers to Parramatta to secure Lomax for this season, all rejected, including a recent proposal of $300,000 with $211,000 in salary-cap relief. The Storm has also indemnified Lomax, meaning they will cover his legal costs if he loses the case. A week-long trial, initially set to begin on Monday, will now extend with closing submissions scheduled for March 17, after round two of the NRL season.
Justice Francois Kunc will require time to deliberate after the submissions, likely pushing any decision beyond round four, severely jeopardising Lomax's chances of playing in purple early in the season. In the meantime, Parramatta must provide contracts and deeds for six other players to Lomax's legal team, allowing comparisons to assess if restrictions on his move are unreasonable.
Broader Implications and Future Prospects
The case also involves probing Tripp's claims that V'landys called the Eels "unreasonable" and promised to register Lomax's contract regardless of Parramatta's stance. Documents sought by the Eels could reveal assurances from the NRL that bolstered the Storm's confidence in the move.
If the lawsuit fails, Lomax is expected to pause his NRL career and explore rugby union opportunities until at least 2029, adding a personal dimension to the legal wrangling. As the drama unfolds, the involvement of high-profile NRL figures and international travel delays highlights the complex interplay between sport, law, and business in professional rugby league.
