Name: Zac Lomax faces NRL ban risk after early Eels exit
Uploaded: 2025-11-17T06:23:06.365Z
Duration: 1 min 54 s
Description: Zac Lomax has exited the Eels after just 19 games, giving up a major contract as the NRL warns players they could face a 10-year ban for joining unsanctioned competitions. Officials say some breakaway leagues are making misleading promises and leaving players exposed to tax liabilities.

Zac Lomax has exited the Eels after just 19 games, giving up a major contract as the NRL warns players they could face a 10-year ban for joining unsanctioned competitions. Officials say some breakaway leagues are making misleading promises and leaving players exposed to tax liabilities.

Council of the City of Sydney

Zac Lomax departed the Parramatta Eels only 19 games into a four-year contract, forfeiting at least $650,000 per season to pursue opportunities in an unsanctioned rugby competition. NRL officials, including Peter Volandes, have warned that such competitions are unstable and that attempts to sidestep league bans will not succeed.

The NRL has stated that joining a non-sanctioned competition could result in a 10-year ban, and that players would still be liable for Australian taxes despite claims of tax-free earnings. While the league may consider leniency for players who can prove they were misled or faced unforeseen circumstances, those who knowingly sign with unsanctioned leagues are expected to face strict penalties.

Zac Lomax faces NRL ban risk after early Eels exit

Being a slippery customer on the field has made Zach Lomax a superstar, but he slipped away from the Eels only 19 games into a four year contract. I feel very sorry for Zach, I think he's been very poorly advised. He's heading down a slippery slope at the moment, we don't know where he's going. If he does go to this unsanctioned competition he should ask for the money up front. Lomax forfeiting at least $650,000 per season for what Peter Volandes calls a wild promise of riches. Anyone can say I'm going to give you $10 million if you can deliver us another thing. Someone said that they looked at some of the documents and said it was a competition built on sand. Sidestepping potential NRL bands by joining a different rugby competition first is not a loophole they haven't thought of. Once he goes to something that's not sanctioned, it's not a sanctioned competition like Japanese rugby or Irish rugby or Australian rugby, then that penalty will apply. Lomax's manager, Clinton Shivkovski, who also represents Ryan Peppenhausen, faces the same hit. It's a massive punt because we will ban them for 10 years and we have confidence in our legal advice. Lomax's estimated income tax bill in Australia, close to $260,000. Joining R360 won't necessarily wipe that out. I know from the experience of getting tax free stays with our players in Papua New Guinea, if you've got residence or assets in Australia, you'll still be taxed. You're not going to avoid tax. So that's another false promise. The NRL clearly taking a tough stance, but it could soften for some players. If they can prove that they were misled or there was unforeseen circumstances, we've left the door open in that regard. They've been used as guinea pigs and naturally I have compassion for them. So we will look at all cases on their merits, but if you go there open eyed and sign a contract, we'll expect to get a 10 year penalty.

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