โIt just so happens that the Storm is probably not the right counterparty because they donโt have, or theyโre not prepared to offer, what we need to get that deal done up.โ
At 9:10am on Tuesday โ less than an hour before Parramattaโs legal lead, Arthur Moses SC, was scheduled to make his opening remarks โ a settlement was reached. Melbourne would pay $250,000 of Parramattaโs legal fees in exchange for Lomax being able to return to the NRL in 2028. Thatโs 12 months earlier than the original agreement that Lomax struck with Parramatta, but still leaves him in league limbo.
So who, lawyers aside, are the winners from the arrangement?
Melbourne are no better off. They have to pay a big portion of Parramattaโs legal fees, as well as their own, as well of those of Lomax. Legal experts estimate the total spend could exceed $600,000 โ money thatโs been torched given it didnโt ultimately lead to Lomaxโs signature.
The figure could be higher still if the NRL deems the cost of indemnifying Lomax, an inducement to sign with the Storm, should be added to their salary cap. Rival clubs, who sided with Parramatta during the imbroglio, are watching with interest.
Lomax has fared little better. While the court case hasnโt left him out of pocket, the Eels still effectively control whether he can return to rugby league. The winger could belatedly make a switch to rugby union, with still enough time to press claims for a Wallabies jersey ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
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But heโll have little leverage at the negotiating table if he sits down with French, Japanese or domestic Super Rugby clubs. Wherever he ends up, Lomax is taking a financial haircut.
Itโs a mixed result for the NRL. On the one hand, Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Vโlandys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo have been spared the ignominy of having all of their Lomax-related communications aired in court. Parramattaโs suspicions that head office sided with Melbourne will never be tested.
However, the loss of a player of Lomaxโs talent is a blow to rugby league. Especially if he ends up in rugby, which has the chance to pick up a Blues and Kangaroos representative โ and the endless headlines that come with him โ at a bargain price.
The closest thing to a winner in this sorry affair is Parramatta. They remain without an adequate replacement for Lomax at a time when there isnโt a comparable player on the market. However, they have shown their fans, and the rest of the league world, that they will not be bullied.
โWe stood up for what we felt was right,โ Sarantinos said. โAt no time did that mean that we werenโt prepared to try and find a deal, but we felt that was a critical step that we needed to take at that point in time to protect our club.โ
The Eels took on the might of the Melbourne Storm and walked away with their reputation enhanced. Now they have to do it again on Thursday night when the two teams meet in their season-opener at Melbourneโs AAMI Park.
