NRL star Zac Lomax court showdown delayed amid last-minute talks

What was set to be a blockbuster NSW Supreme Court showdown between NRL star Zac Lomax and the Parramatta Eels has been delayed by a full day, as frantic last-minute negotiations stalled the hearing.

The highly anticipated showdown between NRL star Zac Lomax and his former club, the Parramatta Eels, has been delayed by a full day after frantic, last-minute negotiations dramatically stalled the NSW Supreme Court proceedings.

The Eels have taken the State of Origin and Australian representative to court in a high-stakes bid to enforce the terms of his release from a $700,000-a-year contract, following his November departure in a failed attempt to join R360.

However, when the breakaway rugby union competition’s launch was postponed, Lomax moved to return to the NRL – despite a clause in his release expressly stating that, until 31 October 2028, he could not sign with another NRL club without the Eels’ written consent.

When Lomax attempted to secure a move to NRL powerhouse Melbourne Storm for the 2026 season, the Eels blocked the transfer, maintaining that the winger was fully aware he required the club’s approval before negotiating with a rival NRL side.

Just minutes before the hearing, lawyers for both Lomax and the Eels requested additional time to continue talks over a potential deal that could see the star player join the Storm.

Justice Francois Kunc granted an initial 90-minute adjournment from the scheduled 10:00am start to allow discussions to continue, telling the court: “I always wish parties well to resolve their differences.”

The matter was set to resume at 11:30am, but the hearing was delayed by 30 minutes as both parties remained locked in negotiations behind closed doors.

Absent at the start of proceedings, Lomax arrived at the courthouse midway through the negotiations, as efforts to strike a private resolution intensified.

Justice Kunc later told the court the proceedings would begin at 2:00pm, even if discussions between the Eels and Lomax’s legal teams were still ongoing behind the scenes.

When the matter was brought before the court again, Lomax’s lawyer confirmed that the parties were “close to a resolution” and requested the hearing be adjourned to 10:00am on Tuesday (3 March).

Justice Kunc warned that proceedings “will need to press on” if the day-long negotiations delaying the hearing did not produce a resolution, and directed that the court be notified if an agreement was reached by 4:00pm.

Lengthy negotiations involving proposed player swaps and transfer fees have so far failed to procure a breakthrough, with the Eels reportedly rejecting three separate offers from the Storm to release Lomax.

The most recent proposal was understood to be worth $300,000, including $211,000 in salary-cap relief, yet it was still not enough to break the deadlock.

Adding another fiery twist to the saga, if the Eels and Storm reach a deal, Lomax could find himself lining up against his former club in the season opener – with Parramatta hosting the clash at AAMI Park on 5 March.