Zac Lomax has signed a two year deal with the Western Force in what could be considered a protest to the Parramatta Eels, after an ongoing disagreement with his contract.

The star winger and centre was tied up with the Eels after he was released from a four year contract after his first year, on the condition he would not join another Rugby League club without the Eels’ written permission.

Failed negotiations with the Melbourne Storm saw his League career lie on the terms of Parramatta’s management until the end of the 2027 season.

While he couldn’t play another League game until that time, nothing was said about his ability to change codes, hence his decision to come west and play Union for the Western Force.

SportFM spoke to Force CEO Niamh O’Connor this morning.

“Zac is an incredible athlete and the level of professionalism and thinking and intellect he brings to the game is outstanding. He’s very focussed on the home World Cup and Wallabies, which was a major part of his decision,” she said.

“He felt the Force was the best place to support him into that next phase of his life, which is exciting and a good endorsement of the system we’re building.”

Negotiations for the deal began back in October-November time last year, and having played Union for NSW before League, Lomax is no stranger to switching codes.

“He actually grew up with Angus Bell who’s currently overseas at Ulster for a year, so he knows a lot of the boys and has done a lot of his homework. He won’t be an alien to the game and I know in the past he’s been working hard on his knowledge and understanding of all that.”

The Force are hoping to see their new star signing on the field soon after the team get back from their travel block, playing their last game in New Zealand on Friday.

“We’ll get back into the set up, then get him across to Perth and once we work with him and with the team we’ll make a decision on when, but we’ll get him out as soon as he’s ready.”

“We work quite closely with Zac. He’s very focussed on where he’s going and what he wants to do and the opportunities that Union presents to him. So he’s pretty excited and yeah, we’ll get him out in the park as fast as we can.”

The Force face off with the Hurricanes this Friday before heading back to Perth to take on the Chiefs on the 28th.

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