Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Wezt]

The Melbourne Storm have failed with a fresh bid to sign rugby union renegade Zac Lomax for next season in a move which would have paved the way for Jack Howarth to join Parramatta.

Sport Confidential can reveal that the Storm were given the green light to sign Lomax by Parramatta, who still hold the rights to the former NSW and Australian player for another 12 months.

Howarth would then have moved to the Eels as part of the deal but it fell over when the Storm were told that Lomax had no desire to break his contract with the Western Force and was committed to another year in rugby union.

The latest bid to woo Lomax came only six months after the Storm were involved in talks to bring him to Melbourne, only for the deal to fall over when Parramatta dug in their heels.

At the time, Parramatta were only willing to release Lomax if they got a player in return - they identified Howarth as one of their options.

The Storm weren’t willing to release Howarth at the time but the versatile centre’s future in Melbourne hangs in the balance again after the club gave his management permission to explore his options.

The Eels emerged as a potential home but Melbourne aren’t willing to release Howarth unless they find a suitable replacement. Lomax emerged as an option but the Storm’s hopes of landing the dual-code star hit a roadblock. Lomax scored two tries in seven appearances for the Force this season but a calf injury meant he was not considered when a 37-man squad was named for the July Test series. His ultimate goal remains to crack the Wallabies squad for next year’s World Cup, which will be played in Australia.


Storm looking for a swap deal for Howarth

 

[Vicious]

I thought he was a Balmain junior

No, Ray Stone played junior reps for Wests Magpies.

 

[balmain boy]

Ashton Large yes please, but we have blown the opportunity with Conti and the Clarke Brothers, Bad administration has cost us. Aidan Gow Knights will not let him go, he is very quick.

We literally pushed all of those players out of the club. No chance any return

 

[balmain boy]

I read Logan Spinks' contract ends this year with the Dogs. A change of clubs may be what he needs. He is from the Tamworth area which has produced a number of tough second row forwards including David Brooks and Bruce Sinclair. He may be a player worth considering.

We should be all over him, which probably means we aren't. Contrasting reports on his contract status.

But surely he could see he'll have a better opportunity for first grade with us?

 

[balmain boy]

Probably an extra 200k to cover the 3rd party that was reported when he signed, whoever that was isn't going to pay him to play at the slippery eels.

There is absolutely no way on earth we are paying 500k for him to leave. Zero. Despite what clickbait journos say.

We are under no obligation to cover a TPA either.

 

[Vicious]

The Melbourne Storm have failed with a fresh bid to sign rugby union renegade Zac Lomax for next season in a move which would have paved the way for Jack Howarth to join Parramatta.

Sport Confidential can reveal that the Storm were given the green light to sign Lomax by Parramatta, who still hold the rights to the former NSW and Australian player for another 12 months.

Howarth would then have moved to the Eels as part of the deal but it fell over when the Storm were told that Lomax had no desire to break his contract with the Western Force and was committed to another year in rugby union.

The latest bid to woo Lomax came only six months after the Storm were involved in talks to bring him to Melbourne, only for the deal to fall over when Parramatta dug in their heels.

At the time, Parramatta were only willing to release Lomax if they got a player in return - they identified Howarth as one of their options.

The Storm weren’t willing to release Howarth at the time but the versatile centre’s future in Melbourne hangs in the balance again after the club gave his management permission to explore his options.

The Eels emerged as a potential home but Melbourne aren’t willing to release Howarth unless they find a suitable replacement. Lomax emerged as an option but the Storm’s hopes of landing the dual-code star hit a roadblock. Lomax scored two tries in seven appearances for the Force this season but a calf injury meant he was not considered when a 37-man squad was named for the July Test series. His ultimate goal remains to crack the Wallabies squad for next year’s World Cup, which will be played in Australia.


Storm looking for a swap deal for Howarth

Shows that every club stuffs things up, not just us.

 

[Vicious]

We should be all over him, which probably means we aren't. Contrasting reports on his contract status.

But surely he could see he'll have a better opportunity for first grade with us?

I rate Logan Spinks as a huge prospect, but how does he have better regular NRL opportunities with us when he is a left edge second rower?

 

[balmain boy]

Is there anything to link any of new these players to the club ?

No

 

[Tom Shines]

No

Just par for the course for old mates musings ..

 

[balmain boy]

So ..who else do you think they are concentrating on instead ? Sukkar and Maka out wide ? No one else in the team could run out of sight on a dark night

No one. Our opponents could show up drunk and still be able to easily outplay us

 

[Vicious]

There is absolutely no way on earth we are paying 500k for him to leave. Zero. Despite what clickbait journos say.

We are under no obligation to cover a TPA either.

I like your optimism @balmain boy but I am not as confident as you are about it.
Not really for any of us to worry about.

 

[Tiger Stripes]

He was on his way but Sticky talked him out of it, now he’s getting the flick !
I don’t think he’s got much to offer, maybe Smithies might be a slightly better option. Fellow Pom with KPP, and can play 13.

Horsburgh is a myth. Pumps out a decent 5 minute stint every now and then, but he's a slug.

And gives away more penalties than Seyfarth.

 

[balmain boy]

The best player you have mentioned is Ray Stone .. i doubt he joins us

Why would he come back to us at this late stage?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

We should be all over him, which probably means we aren't. Contrasting reports on his contract status.

But surely he could see he'll have a better opportunity for first grade with us?

Best backrower in NSW Cup & Qld Cup imo for that matter. Destroys us each time we play the Dogs in Cup. If he's available, it would be negligent of the club not to speak to him. On another level to Tony Sukkar & where Ethan Roberts is at development-wise atm.

 

[Tom Shines]

Why would he come back to us at this late stage?

He won’t

 

[Vicious]

Not sure he fits in

You can’t say that, can you?

 

[BlackWhiteGold]

Why would he come back to us at this late stage?

2 year deal, leadership type role, closer to his family & every chance to be a consistent bench player for us.

 

[Tom Shines]

No one. Our opponents could show up drunk and still be able to easily outplay us

You gotta write something on the tip sheet …well that’s what the other clubs do anyway ,,

 

[Tom Shines]

You can’t say that, can you?

Say what ?

 

[Vicious]

Best backrower in NSW Cup & Qld Cup imo for that matter. Destroys us each time we play the Dogs in Cup. If he's available, it would be negligent of the club not to speak to him. On another level to Tony Sukkar & where Ethan Roberts is at development-wise atm.

Out of curiosity would you move either Samuela or KPP to 13 if we had the possibility of signing Logan Spinks?