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last mo.

Court Sets Five-Day March Hearing in Lomax Case as 'Blow Torch' Allegation Surfaces

The timetable leaves no decision before the March 5 Storm–Eels opener, making a Round 1 debut unlikely without an out-of-court deal.

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Zac Lomax looms as a big addition for Craig Bellamy’s side, but there is still much to play out.

Overview

  • The NSW Supreme Court scheduled a five-day hearing for March 2–6 before Justice Francois Kunc to decide Zac Lomax’s eligibility.
  • Parramatta seeks to enforce a release clause barring Lomax from signing with another NRL club without its written consent until the end of 2028.
  • Court filings detail Melbourne offers of $100,000, $200,000 and $300,000, including a proposal to count $211,000 as salary-cap relief, all rejected by the Eels.
  • The Eels allege the Storm asked the NRL to "apply the blow torch" and raised possible punitive salary-cap steps, claims NRL CEO Andrew Abdo denied.
  • Lomax’s side plans a restraint-of-trade challenge to the clause, and the Storm has agreed to cover his legal fees.