South Sydney will not pursue Zac Lomax, removing one of the clearest routes back into the NRL for the exiled winger. Saturday at 11: 00 a. m. ET, coach Wayne Bennett said he would not “bend rules” for an individual player after Parramatta and Melbourne reached an out-of-court settlement that blocked Lomax’s planned move.
Wayne Bennett rules out signing and says the game won’t bend for one player
wayne bennett was unequivocal when asked if South Sydney had interest in signing Lomax, saying “I’m not going to bend rules and make rules for individual players. ” Bennett, preparing to coach his 39th NRL season, added that teams cannot rely on any single player and that Lomax “has to live with” the consequences of his exit from Parramatta. That stance closes a potential immediate option for the 26-year-old outside back.
Parramatta and Melbourne settlement leaves Lomax without the Storm move
Parramatta and Melbourne reached an out-of-court settlement that blocked the Storm signing Lomax after he was released to join the postponed R360 competition. The agreement came four months after Lomax left the Eels to join R360 and followed intense negotiations between the two clubs; any NRL return in the next two years would likely involve a swap deal or a club agreeing to help Parramatta shift money out of their salary cap by taking on another player.
Zac Lomax faces limited NRL options and growing rugby union interest
During his time in limbo, Lomax has found support from Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys, who had been prepared to wipe a 10-year NRL ban he threatened to impose on players defecting to R360. Lomax was also pictured leaving Rugby Australia headquarters, and the 26-year-old has attracted Super Rugby interest; an Australian rugby union franchise would likely pay far less than his $700, 000 Eels salary, though switching to overseas rugby union would likely be more lucrative.
wayne bennett’s refusal to consider Lomax narrows the winger’s short-term options inside the NRL and amplifies the appeal of a code switch. In leaked text messages during the legal saga, Storm chair Matt Tripp urged the NRL to weigh in and ensure a “win for the game” by helping bring Lomax back, but club-level deals and Parramatta’s conditions have kept the transfer off the table.
Former players and pundits have voiced frustration at how the contract saga played out. Brad Fittler described the negotiations as “like a divorce case, ” criticizing clubs and management for prioritizing legal and financial maneuvering over the sport’s interests. That commentary underscores how the dispute between clubs and agents has limited immediate resolution for Lomax.
Still, Lomax’s camp has explored alternatives. His agent has indicated that nothing is off the table, and the player has been linked to rugby union discussions after R360’s postponement. The financial reality is tangible: the Eels salary figure cited during the dispute was $700, 000, and an overseas union move would likely offer a significantly higher payout than domestic rugby union options.
If Parramatta maintains its current conditions, Lomax’s return to the NRL will remain complicated; his contract exit and the legal settlement have effectively shut down one obvious path back into the 13-man code. The next confirmed fixture involving Bennett’s side is South Sydney’s season opener on Sunday afternoon in Brisbane against the Dolphins. If Parramatta withdraws its restriction, Lomax could sign with another NRL club before 2028.
