The Lomax case is over, and now the Eels are eyeing a NSW Origin star. Parramatta is set to secure the services of prop Mitchell Barnett, regardless of Zac Lomax's future decisions, as Jason Ryles orchestrates one of the NRL's most dramatic roster overhauls. The Eels coach and his players were on the training field when Lomax and the club reached an out-of-court settlement with Melbourne on Tuesday morning, ending the tense contract negotiations. Parramatta retains the final say over Lomax's return to the NRL before 2028, requiring the club's written consent for any rival club signings. The Eels, throughout the contract dispute, insisted on a replacement player rather than financial compensation, rejecting the Storm's $750,000 transfer fee offer after Ryan Matterson's rejection of a proposed move to Melbourne. Several NRL rivals are adopting a wait-and-see approach regarding Lomax, while the Warriors will only consider a player swap before releasing Barnett this season. The Kiwi club will grant Barnett permission to return to Australia on compassionate grounds at the end of 2026, and Parramatta had expressed interest in the 31-year-old's management before the latest Lomax developments. Brisbane, Newcastle, and Manly are among the other NRL clubs monitoring Barnett's future. Any suggestion of a player swap between the Eels and Warriors is premature, as the clubs have not yet discussed it. However, Ryles confirmed that a front-rower of Barnett's caliber would be a valuable addition, as the club continues extension talks with veteran prop Junior Paulo at a significantly lower rate than the last year of his current contract, which exceeds $900,000. Ryles expressed interest in Barnett, highlighting his Origin forward status as an area for roster improvement and strengthening. With the Eels' roster undergoing significant changes, Ryles is gearing up for his second NRL season, with only six players remaining from the side that played in May 2024. The Lomax saga, while challenging, has not deterred the team's focus, as Ryles emphasizes the quick transition when players move on. The Eels' rebuild, marked by the exits of Clint Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Dylan Brown, and Shaun Lane, prioritizes stability as the key differentiator in their preparation for 2026. With Jonah Pezet joining Mitchell Moses in the halves, the Eels are transforming into a formidable force, contrasting their previous season's loss to Melbourne.
