Brian Kelly finally links up with the Parramatta Eels on a 2-year deal but the news cycle has been dominated in the last 24 hours by news surrounding former Eel Zac Lomax. The Melbourne Storm have allegedly approached the Eels about signing the rogue winger. For his part, Lomax has allegedly engaged the services of lawyer Ramy Qutami who has previously represented Isaral Folau in his dispute with Rugby Australia. Can the Eels extract some value from the Storm in a player swap? Buzz Rothfield is certainly stirring the pot in that regard as the boys discuss everything from top to bottom in a rapidly developing situation.
Is there anything remotely interesting happening across the code in comparison? The show scours the news channels to find the latest general news for the NRL including a contract extension for Payne Hass…but a very short term extension as he continues to ponder a change of codes.
Good to see Doorey and Kelma doing well albeit in the pre season- let’s hope they can continue to add to the strength of the overall team
The Lomax saga needs to be dealt with asap for me and not linger on. Either we tell him to stay out or we get a value swap.
Either way he’s lost a lot of credibility
Milo I have a respected friend at The Entrance who is a life long Dragons supporter. I ran into him yesterday and he was full of white rage. The first thing he said was what did I tell you when you signed him.
He has a massive ego and he will never have loyalty to anyone but himself. He then went on to say the Dragons are better off without him.
Do we feel the same?
Hi John, ha I do mate. Hope you’re well and had a good Christmas 🎄 and new year.
Lomax has definitely left Parra badly and tbh the NRL overall would and should also put in clauses to protect clubs best interest. But they won’t…
We need a good old Kens’ I think – as they don’t let you down! Chunky beef or curry for me.
Heard someone was up there today…Mornay’s I think.
Gents, personally I would love to see the NRL just blacklist Lomax for the duration of the Eels contract but PVL WILL say that we want to best players back in our game and not sitting on the outside so .. no it will not happen.
The NRL will NOT back to Eels if they hold out.
Lomax WILL be a Storm player.
Spark, I feel you are spot on here albeit it may happen with some clauses etc
If Melbourne want Lomax – it needs to be a like for like. Origin player for an Origin player who plays the same /similar position
Anything else and we are getting dudded in the deal
However – if the Eels decide on a release – the only NRL club I would consider a release for Lomax – would be the Perth Bears. They need players – and he wont just be able to walk in and win a comp. Will still play NRL which is what it seems he wants to do
What is “like for like” ?
An Origin player who doesn’t want to be an Eel?
it would be up to the Storm to convince them to come to Parra – and if they don’t, then no deal.
I don’t believe like for like will happen so for mine it’s better to have a Hi-lux that is needed and used than a Mercedes with a messed up computer sitting in the shed
Lomax is a rep player and as such we need like for like replacement – which Howarth is not. To avoid a legal stouch maybe we select 2 of Storm’s promising juniors in areas we’re short in or want cover in. This could even lead to another club making a bid. Whatever the outcome Eels need appropriate compensation they’re happy with.
We don’t need a like for like replacement. All we need is someone who suits our needs. Lomax was a good player but, i rated Grothe a great winger, I rated Semi a great winger, both made you stand up everytime they got the ball. As for Lomax, felt nothing.
Yer I agree it has to be a like for like or if it were to be howarth or Meaney I’d also want one of there hottest prospect Junior’s they currently have.
Let say howarth is a straight swap for Lomax they will get a top 4 international/origin elite level winger and we’re getting not even a current top 10 centre who is not really interested in coming to parra it’s more being forced upon him.
If we do go down the deal path we’re losing out no matter what in my opinion unless it Coates and it won’t be.
I’d be happy to see Lomax sit on the sidelines for three years until a player of similar ability comes up why on earth of all teams would you want to make the storm stronger or let him become a premiership player after all this.
agred – Lomax is Top 4. Howarth will never play Origin
MON has something up his sleeve, Get the James Hardie lawyers onto Lomax, they can string this out for years,
How about we ask for $500,000 transfer fee coming off their salary cap. The Bulldogs did this with the Broncos who asked and got $250,000 for a junior.
Thanks fellas for another great podcast.
What to make of the Lomax situation? It seems like he just wants to go to the newest shiny toy each time. Somehow, somewhere along the line he has to be shown there are consequences for actions. So the argument supposedly now is that the situation has changed post Eels release. That is the gamble you take when you leave, allegedly, for something that has not yet got off the ground. If agreeing to the release condition was not coerced then how can you complain?
I hope Parramatta continue to stand firm and any deal, if done, is substantially more in our favour.
I’m afraid Lomax now ranks along the lines of Jamie Lyons with me.
Exactly my thoughts as well mate
100%..if Lomax/Schifkoske think the situation has changed so all bets off, they are grasping at straws. If that’s their logic then the club should be entitled to revert to the original contract then set a new deal for release. It seems they rolled the dice on verbal indications backed by a non-binding letter for fame and wealth in a global ‘vision’ being trotted out by an ex-Lion frequently photoed in Royal company, reportedly with a pile of Middle Eastern money to burn. Fortunately the sports folk of Melbourne will only chuckle at and forget the backstory as they go bananas over their game which today I read their countless knock-ons are caused by smooth balls.