‘Not the only club’: Why Storm’s Lomax plot could spark NRL feeding frenzy

Don’t expect the Melbourne Storm to be the only club to knock on Parramatta’s door to inquire about Zac Lomax.

Melbourne came under fire from rival clubs at a NRL chief executives’ conference over their play for Lomax, but Hall of Fame halfback Cooper Cronk believes other rival teams will come knocking.

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Lomax was granted an early release from his Eels deal with three years left to run in the hope of joining R360. Those plans, however, were curtailed when the rebel league pushed back their start date by two years.

While the Eels granted Lomax a release, it came with conditions. He is not to play for another NRL team until 2029 unless Parramatta agree.

For that to happen, the Storm will need to stump up.

“I think Melbourne have a right to have a go at him but the Eels have rights to Lomax,” Cronk said on the Kayo Sports NRL Podcast.

“Ultimately, it’s up to the Eels. If they get some juicy compensation, by all means, but if it’s not juicy enough, hold onto Lomax.

“It has to be good … They hold all the power here. Every club can knock on the door of Parramatta and say I want Zac but it has to be beneficial for the Eels.

“It’s purely up to the Eels and Jason Ryles and what they want to do. If they feel like they’ll get something worthwhile letting Zac go, by all means (let him go). But until that moment happens, this story will keep bubbling along until someone comes up with something.

“They (Melbourne) are not the only club who will be knocking on the Eels’ door. This will continue on.”

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The Eels are in need of outside backs following Lomax’s exit but Cronk is adamant the Storm will not be interested in a swap deal that sends either of their star wingers in Xavier Coates or Will Warbrick to Parramatta.

“It is the like for like replacement but it’s not going to happen so if the Storm offer a mid-tier player and some cash, if I’m the Eels, I’m saying no. I want Xavier Coates,” Cronk said.

“Obviously you’re thinking someone like Coates and Warbrick would be someone they’d (Eels) be after as an outside back,” Ennis added.

“The other one is front row. Junior Paulo isn’t getting any younger and the Storm have some good young forwards though.”

However, Ennis was skeptical in the Storm’s interest in Lomax.

“What are they chasing Lomax for?” he said.

“If you have (Sua) Fa’alogo at fullback and Coates and Warbrick on the wings, where will you play him?”

“Centre,” Braith Anasta replied, who suggested the Storm’s left centre in 2025 Jack Howarth may be better suited in the back row.

:I know we’ve been through this but I would assume that’s what they’re after him for because Jack Howarth isn’t a natural centre and you can see Melbourne are lacking firepower on their edges I believe.”

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