The three Storm players Parramatta want in exchange for Zac Lomax
Parramatta have identified Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu or Jack Howarth as three players they are prepared to acquire in exchange for allowing Zac Lomax to join the Melbourne Storm.
Lomax was given leave from the Eels in November in the hope he would strike a lucrative deal with breakaway Rugby 360, only for the rebel competition to delay the launch date to 2028.
And it was given One of the conditions for Lomax’s release from the Eels As he could not play without the permission of the opposing NRL club, the representative pilot was forced to delay any move south until compensation was paid to Parramatta.
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos is not ready to budge on Lomax, saying on Thursday: “I don’t see why we should be at a disadvantage in this situation.”
Storm has already parted ways Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, who were released early from their contracts. Jonah PezetGrant Anderson, who joined the Eels and signed with the Broncos. Eli Katoa will miss the 2026 season after undergoing emergency surgery for head injuries he sustained before and during Tonga’s Pacific Championship match.
Melbourne are keen to sign Lomax, they are one of the few clubs with salary cap money who can afford him and need depth in their outside backs. winger Will Warbrick Nick Meaney, who was limited to just seven games last season due to concussion symptoms, will head to Perth next year, while Papenhuyzen’s No. 1 reserve Sua Fa’alogo is extremely talented but is not expected to play every game in 2026 due to the physical and mental load it will put on him.
Eels winger Zac Lomax is hoping to join Melbourne.Credit: Getty Images
Storm CEO Justin Rodski defended the club’s pursuit of Lomax when the issue was raised in a phone call between club chief executives with the NRL on Wednesday. Sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed that several rival clubs have also made unofficial inquiries about signing the 26-year-old.
The same sources confirmed on Thursday that the three players the Eels had identified as potential replacements were Howarth, Coates and Utoikamanu. The contracts of all three will expire at the end of next season.
