Moses’ Eels Challenge: No Easy Lomax Answer

NRL Grapples with Player Contracts Amidst Zac Lomax Standoff

The National Rugby League (NRL) is facing a complex situation concerning player contracts, brought to the forefront by the ongoing legal battle involving star winger Zac Lomax. While NRL CEO Andrew Abdo has voiced a desire to see top-tier talent playing in the competition, he has cautioned that any potential changes to contracting rules, prompted by the Lomax affair, will not be made hastily.

The Lomax saga, which centres on a contract dispute with his former club Parramatta Eels, is currently before the NSW Supreme Court. The situation has cast doubt on Lomax’s ability to feature for his new club, the Melbourne Storm, against the Eels in the opening round of the season.

Parramatta Eels captain Mitch Moses has publicly backed his club’s firm stance on the matter. Lomax departed the Eels in November last year, seeking a release from the final three years of his contract to join the now-stalled R360 competition. At the time of his exit, Parramatta asserts Lomax agreed not to return to the NRL with another club before the end of the 2028 season, unless he received explicit written consent from the Eels.

The Melbourne Storm, meanwhile, have expressed their keenness to secure Lomax’s services. Storm captain Harry Grant believes Lomax would significantly enhance their roster. Melbourne has reportedly made two separate financial offers to Parramatta in an attempt to clear Lomax for a 2026 move, but both proposals have been rejected.

The legal proceedings were scheduled to commence on Thursday and Friday, but the court hearing has been postponed and is now set to begin on March 2nd, a mere three days before the two clubs are due to clash on the field.

Throughout this contract dispute, Zac Lomax has been unable to train with the Melbourne Storm.

Speaking at the NRL’s season launch on Tuesday, Abdo reiterated his commitment to having “the best athletes in the world playing in the NRL and NRLW.” However, he declined to comment on the specifics of the Lomax case. When pressed on whether new rules could be implemented to prevent similar restrictive clauses in player contracts in the future, the NRL CEO acknowledged the delicate nature of such decisions.

“It’s a delicate balance that is required,” Abdo explained. “Both the clubs and players will agree to certain terms in the contract that give both, or either the club or the player, protection based on the circumstances. That is not uncommon in professional sport.”

Abdo emphasised that these contractual agreements are not always one-sided, stating, “It’s also not a one-sided thing. It’s not like these contracts are always only in favour of the player or the club.”

He further elaborated that any potential changes to the current contracting framework would undergo thorough consideration by the ARL Commission, in close consultation with key stakeholders, including the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) and the clubs.

“Like anything in the sport, whether it’s on-field or off-field, we are always looking at the way we do things and how we can improve,” Abdo stated. “If there is a better way of doing things we will look at it. But as I said, it’s the job of the Commission to consider policy decisions of this nature. This is an unusual case, given it’s related to the emergence of a new potential unsanctioned competition.”

Abdo’s remarks follow similar sentiments expressed by ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, who has also indicated a desire to see Lomax return to the game and confirmed that the NRL would register his contract once the dispute is resolved.

Meanwhile, Mitch Moses reiterated his belief that Parramatta is justified in upholding their contractual position. Speaking at the season launch, Moses told AAP, “Whatever the club decides, they’ve got the full support of our playing group. It’s not really my problem, he made his decision. He wanted to leave. He wanted to go to rugby and do all that. It didn’t work out … He’s a good bloke. But it’s not up to me.”

Moses added that the team has moved on from Lomax’s departure, stating, “We haven’t had a training session with him at all. We’ve moved on.” He concluded by wishing Lomax well in his future endeavours, regardless of his chosen sporting path. “I wish him all the best. Whatever happens, whatever decision he makes. Does he want to play rugby? Does he want to play AFL? Does he want to fight? Does he want to do something? He is one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen in my life. He could do anything.”