Look, here's the thing: when a bloke asks for his release from a contract to chase a rebel rugby competition that goes belly-up, you've got to ask yourself whether every door in the NRL ought to swing wide open for him afterwards. Wayne Bennett sure doesn't think so.The South Sydney coach has ruled out signing Lomax, effectively shutting the door on one of the few high-profile clubs that might have offered a lifeboat.
Following a Supreme Court consent order made on Tuesday, Lomax is now barred from entering into a contract, training, or playing with any NRL club until 31 October 2027 without the Eels' written permission. That's the fallout from his decision to leave Parramatta back in November to pursue opportunities outside rugby league. When the rebel R360 competition collapsed in December, he tried to pivot back into the NRL with Melbourne, but Parramatta refused to budge on the conditions that came with his initial release.The Storm ended up forking out $250,000 in legal costs to Parramatta.
What Bennett's stance reveals is something bigger than just a single player's predicament.Multiple NRL clubs have raised concerns about Lomax's potential return at official meetings, with some arguing that Parramatta have done nothing wrong and are being penalised for standing firm on a contractual arrangement. The message is clear: if you sign a deal, you're expected to honour it, even when circumstances change.
For Lomax, the options have narrowed considerably.The winger has been spotted at Rugby Australia headquarters, just a day after his NRL door slammed shut, as he explores a potential code switch to Super Rugby.Western Force are believed to be the frontrunners to sign him should a deal be reached. It's a familiar pattern for players caught in the crossfire of failed experiments: if rugby league won't have you on the terms you want, you might as well try your luck in rugby union.
There's sympathy to be found in Lomax's situation, fair dinkum. The R360 collapse wasn't his doing. He made a good-faith decision based on information that looked promising at the time. Butas some commentators have noted, Lomax did make a choice and did ask for a release. Contracts exist for a reason. When one player gets special treatment, it sets a precedent that unravels the structure every other club relies on.
At the end of the day, the NRL faces a genuine tension. The game benefits from player movement and genuine choice, but that benefit only works if clubs can negotiate from a position of some security.The Eels remain open to striking a deal that would let Lomax play with a different NRL team, but only if they receive adequate compensation, whether that be a player trade or significant salary cap relief. That's not unreasonable. Parramatta released him in good faith; they're not obliged to gift him to a rival.
Bennett's refusal to sign Lomax isn't heartlessness. It's respect for the principle that contracts still matter, and that consequences, while harsh, serve a purpose. Whether Lomax finds his way back to the NRL or ends up playing rugby union, he'll do so with the understanding that professional sport operates on agreements, not goodwill.