{"id":497039,"date":"2026-03-09T04:47:49","date_gmt":"2026-03-09T05:47:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=497039"},"modified":"2026-03-27T05:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T05:24:35","slug":"left-field-contenders-emerge-for-stars-inevitable-nrl-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=497039","title":{"rendered":"Left-field contenders emerge for star's inevitable NRL return"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zac Lomax<\/a> has officially \ufefflanded in rugby union, with the former Eels star putting pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Western Force<\/a>.<\/p>\n

After a drawn-out saga involving Parramatta and Melbourne that ended in a tense legal battle, the 26-year-old was left without an NRL<\/a> club and opted to switch codes.<\/p>\n

Lomax has now put himself in the frame for a Wallabies<\/a> debut ahead of next year's World Cup, but the 2027 end date for his union contract leaves him as a genuine target for NRL clubs once his Eels-imposed exile finishes.<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/p>\n

The fact that Lomax was linked with Rugby Australia prior to his touted move to the Storm<\/a> would indicate his first preference was to remain in the 13-man code and there will likely be no shortage of suitors if he does become available.<\/p>\n

On his day, Lomax is one of the game's most exciting players and he has been a standout performer at both club and representative level prior to his messy contract saga.\ufeff<\/p>\n

While they were keen to acquire his services, it will be interesting to see whether or not Storm officials would circle back to Lomax after the way things played out.\ufeff<\/p>\n

Melbourne have said they will entertain bringing him to the club when the ban is lifted<\/a> but even if they don't, Lomax would have plenty of likely options – whether it be expansion franchises or big-name Sydney clubs.\ufeff<\/p>\n

Wide World of Sports looks at the five possible destinations for Lomax in the NRL.<\/p>\n

Perth Bears<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The most obvious landing spot for Lomax when the 2028 season rolls around will be the Perth Bears<\/a>, who are set to enter the competition next year.<\/p>\n

Lomax's deal with the Western Force will see him live in Perth and the stars could align for the Bears to swoop in and extend his stay in the city.<\/p>\n

Mal Meninga<\/a> hasn't been able to land a genuine marquee player yet and while Lomax won't be available until the Bears' second year in the NRL, it would be silly not to throw sizeable money at one of the game's elite outside backs.\ufeff<\/p>\n

The former NSW and Kangaroos flyer would be the type of player that brings eyes to the Perth franchise – especially if he can make a mark during his union tenure.<\/p>\n

Perth should have the money in the bank\ufeff and Meninga has coached Lomax before for the Australian side, so this feels like somewhat of a no-brainer.<\/p>\n

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and<\/strong><\/em> 9Now<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.\ufeff<\/strong><\/em>\ufeff<\/p>\n

PNG Chiefs<\/h3>\n

\"Zac<\/p>\n

If the Bears are the number-one most obvious pick, the PNG Chiefs<\/a> won't be far behind – especially given the 2028 season will be their first in the NRL.<\/p>\n

While the league's 19th club can't officially sign any players until November this year for their inaugural campaign, PNG bosses will be wanting to get their affairs in order.\ufeff<\/p>\n

Former Nine journalist Michael Chammas has taken over as general manager already and will no doubt be monitoring the Lomax situation closely in the coming months.<\/p>\n

Lomax would be a marquee and potentially circuit-breaking addition for the Chiefs, who many within the game expect to struggle in a frenzied player market.<\/p>\n

If one of the sport's best players can sign there, what's stopping anyone else?\ufeff<\/p>\n

\ufeffSydney Roosters<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We can already see the eye rolls, but if one club in the NRL is never far away from a top-line signing, it's the Roosters<\/a> and more specifically, Nick Politis<\/a>. \ufeff<\/p>\n

While it may feel like a \ufeffstretch to link Lomax to the Tricolours based on vibes alone, there is a genuine thought process behind Bondi as a potential home for him.<\/p>\n

At the end of 2027, superstar fullback James Tedesco's contract finishes<\/a> and there's a fair chance he will retire, while \ufeffveteran winger Daniel Tupou is unlikely to still be going.<\/p>\n

Trent Robinson has already\ufeff lost Mark Nawaqanitawase for 2027 as he moves back to rugby union<\/a>, which leaves the Roosters without a representative-level winger.<\/p>\n

Wide World of Sports understand the Chooks expressed initial interest in Lomax when he was available after his R360 switch fell through at the end of last year, but wisely opted to rule themselves out of what ended up being a messy situation.<\/p>\n

What's to say they won't look into signing Lomax again if given the chance?\ufeff<\/p>\n

South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/h3>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Another high-profile Sydney club who could look into signing Lomax when he becomes available once again would be the Rabbitohs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Souths are fresh off one of the biggest signings of the NRL era after landing Payne Haas<\/a> for next year, but will enter an interesting period at the end of 2027. \ufeff<\/p>\n

The current deals of Latrell Mitchell, Jai Arrow, Tallis Duncan, Jayden Sullivan, David Fifita and Brandon Smith will all expire at the same time Lomax is free to return.<\/p>\n

Alex Johnston will also be off-contract and has already been linked with the Chiefs due to his Papua New Guinean heritage, while veteran outside back Jack Wighton is also unsigned and will be coming towards the end of his career.<\/p>\n

Tyrone Munro's future remains clouded and he is off-contract at the same time Lomax will become available, \ufeffwhile Isaiah Tass is also free at the end of next year.<\/p>\n

Lomax would be a top signing for the Bunnies and has relationships with a handful of players including Haas, Murray and Mitchell from prior State of Origin camps.\ufeff<\/p>\n

St George Illawarra Dragons\ufeff<\/h3>\n

\"Dragons<\/p>\n

It couldn't possibly happen, right?<\/p>\n

Lomax has already walked out on the Dragons<\/a> once with time to run on his deal and it would take some convincing to open the door back up for him.<\/p>\n

Fans wouldn't be happy, but if it means winning football games, they would get over it.<\/p>\n

However, the best year of Lomax's career to date came in the Red V under coach Shane Flanagan, who made the bold choice to move a high-priced centre to the wing<\/a> and the belief was the Origin superstar had some sense of regret after leaving for the Eels.<\/p>\n

A potential reunion in Wollongong isn't out of the question when you consider\ufeff the fact Clint Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Moses Suli are all unsigned at the end of 2027, while out-of-favour winger Tyrell Sloan will likely already be gone from the club.<\/p>\n

Flanagan has already landed a huge coup \ufeffin the form of Keaon Koloamatangi for the next five seasons<\/a>, but the Dragons are clearly still lacking a marquee member of the backline.<\/p>\n

Lomax would be a controversial choice, but it's not out of the question after he came through the ranks as a teenager at the club and still has deep ties in the area.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Zac Lomax has officially \ufefflanded in rugby union, with the former Eels star putting pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Western Force. […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":497041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497039"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=497039"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497039\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":497045,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/497039\/revisions\/497045"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/497041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=497039"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=497039"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=497039"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}