Overview
- Parramatta, Melbourne and Zac Lomax reached an out‑of‑court settlement that averted a week‑long NSW Supreme Court trial after repeated last‑minute adjournments.
- Lomax remains barred from signing with an NRL rival without Parramatta’s written approval, with reporting split on when that restriction lapses—October 31, 2027 per one masthead, or during 2028 per others.
- Melbourne agreed to pay $250,000 toward the Eels’ legal costs, ending the case but leaving Lomax in professional limbo unless Parramatta approves an earlier return.
- Negotiations failed despite multiple proposals, including offers of $100,000 and $200,000, a $300,000 package ($211,000 salary‑cap relief plus an $89,000 fee), a $750,000 transfer fee, and a plan for Melbourne to cover Ryan Matterson’s $416,000 2026 contract after he declined a move.
- Parramatta says it will only consider releasing Lomax early for fair on‑field value such as a like‑for‑like player or usable cap relief, as the RLPA criticises restrictive release clauses and their impact on player mobility.