Lomax Rejects Storm Move As New Deal Looms
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
G'day and welcome to Kenti Blitch, your daily hit of NRL news.
Why did Zac Lomax reject Melbourne Storm’s latest move back to NRL?
And Kenti, a little bit of news out of the storm today with the Zach Lomax saga, which we thought had gone away, has reared its ugly head again. Yeah, they've had another bit at trying to get Zach Lomax there. Obviously, we all know what happened last year. He was heading for the Supreme Court actually last year with all the contract negotiations. Went to the Supreme Court for a couple of days. Yeah, it did. And look, it was... It didn't work out for them. Now, part of that was obviously, I think, if you remember back, the Eels had asked for, was it $750,000 as part of the transfer? That was part of the negotiation. Melbourne, I think, had come halfway to that, didn't get there. But the big part was they wanted a player swap as well.
Parramatta were looking for a player in return. They were after Jack Haworth, who was one of the players that they mentioned, among a couple of others. that they wanted to get up to Parramatta. The Storm were unwilling to make that trade. But now Melbourne, it appears, have contacted the Eels and basically said, look, if we can get Lomax and if you release him, we'll give you health. And Parramatta are keen on getting health. So it went again. And lo and behold, it fell apart when Zach said no.
Yeah.
of all the things to happen. Lomax, who's the guy who was trying to find a club last year so desperately, he's the one that's knocked it on the head. He's obviously playing in Rugby Union at the moment. Enjoying his time over in Perth. Yeah, he is. Potential to play the Rugby World Cup next year. Yeah, look, he's contracted there this season and next season. He'll probably look to head back to the NRL in 2028. And as we know, by then there'll be two more new clubs in the competition, so they'll be flush with cash. So I think there's a clear strategy there. And I think he's probably... quite happy just being anonymous over in Perth in many ways, just being out of the limelight for as long as he has. Heading into the World Cup, that is a big incentive for players to stay in rugby and to continue playing rugby.
Well, a lot of players have come over from the NRL just to play in the Rugby World Cup next year, so that incentive is strong. Oh, it is. Look, it's got an atmosphere. I know you're just back from the Soccer World Cup, which is still going. The Rugby League World Cup, I've never covered one. Rugby Union World Cup? No, the Rugby League. I've covered a couple of Rugby Union World Cups. And I've done big events, Warren. I've covered several Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Soccer World Cups, all sorts of things. And the Rugby World Cup has that vibe about it. I've not been to a Rugby League World Cup, but... It is a little bit small time, I think, and I get that feeling. I've never really been interested in going to the Rugby League World Cup in many ways and just follow the teams around.
Last year, obviously, we were in England. That was great over there watching the Kangaroos play against the English team. But it just doesn't have that enormous feel about it. So I can understand why Zach Lomax – wants to give it a taste and just have a look at it. Financially, I think he's done a little bit less than what he would be in rugby league. But he's found himself in a comfortable position. He's not licking the dates off the calendar. So he can afford to stay in rugby for one more year. And then obviously, I think his manager, if his manager's not already on the phone and working on something with Papua New Guinea for 2028, I'll give it away because that's the obvious play. The other thing is, obviously, he signed a contract at Perth for next year as well, so he'd have to break another contract, which he'd be reticent to do.
Well, he'd be lazy to do it, wouldn't he? Look, the last two Rugby League contracts he had, he broke both of those. So I don't think he wants to be known as a guy who – three in a row, that certainly wouldn't be a good look. The other part to that too is if he did continue down that path, you'd be almost reluctant to offer him a deal as well because you'd just be thinking, the guy's just going to sit here until the next deal comes along.
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Chapters
5 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–0:04
2
Why did Zac Lomax reject Melbourne Storm’s latest move back to NRL?
0:04–5:06
3
How could Papua New Guinea and 2028 expansion influence Lomax’s future plans?
5:06–17:10
4
What roster problems have the Melbourne Storm faced this season?
17:10–25:58
5
Why did Parramatta hold firm and refuse to give Melbourne a favourable Lomax deal?
25:58–32:07
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from Kenty - Paul Kent NRL Podcast
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