Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

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
 
pawsandclaws1 said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
 
Wezt said:
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
Click to expand...
Shows that every club stuffs things up, not just us.
 
balmain boy said:
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?
Click to expand...
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?
 
Halbrowne61 said:
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.
Click to expand...

weststigers said:
Horsburgh is a myth. Pumps out a decent 5 minute stint every now and then, but he's a slug.
Click to expand...
And gives away more penalties than Seyfarth.
 
balmain boy said:
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?
Click to expand...
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 4,031 (members: 47, guests: 3,984)
Back
Top