'I'd want my management fees back': Zac Lomax advisors ripped as Storm leave door ajar for future pursuit

Former Melbourne player Christian Welch has called out Zac Lomax's management team, while the Storm say the door is not closed on bringing the star winger to the Victorian capital.

Lomax's future in the NRL is in limbo after Melbourne and Parramatta failed to reach an agreement that would have seen him join Craig Bellamy's powerhouse.

The 26-year-old was on Wednesday spotted leaving Rugby Australia headquarters in Moore Park as he desperately searches for a new football home, having quit the Eels last year to pursue a contract with R360 only for the rebel rugby competition to be delayed.

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Lomax played only one season for the Eels after joining them from the Dragons, where he also agitated for a contract release in 2024.

While his talent on the field can not be questioned, his decisions off it are being scrutinised.

Former Storm forward Welch has doubts about the people advising Lomax.

"I think Parramatta are well within their rights to stick strong," Welch told Nine's Today.

"Whoever has been advising Lomax the last couple of years, I'd want my management fees back. It's been pretty ordinary.

"I don't think he will be locked out of NRL... another club might come along and offer a reasonable deal. Hopefully he stays in the NRL and turns up this year."

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Melbourne missed out on Lomax this time but Storm CEO Justin Rodksi is hopeful of one day bringing him to the club.

"We definitely will (pursue him again)," Rodski said on 3AW's Wide World of Sports.

"He's a great person and a quality footballer, a rep player for both New South Wales and Australia.

"Come 2028 who knows where we'll be at.... but if there is an opportunity for us to recruit him at that point in time we will certainly look at it."

Lomax won't be allowed to return to the NRL until 2028, without the express written permission of the Eels.

The Eels agreed to reduce Lomax's time in limbo by one year, after he was originally barred from joining another club until 2029.

Bellamy made his disappointment clear after the Storm failed to land Lomax for this season.

"We're obviously disappointed that we couldn't get Zac here," Bellamy said on Wednesday.

"He's a quality player, but he's a quality person as well. He's a real good kid and he would have fit in here really well but more than anything else, we're disappointed for him."

Bellamy is hopeful Lomax isn't lost to the NRL forever, but fears that may be the case.

"I'm not quite sure what happens now," he said.

"Hopefully it all works out for him soon ... but I think everyone in the game would like to see him stay in our game. He's an Origin player, he has played for Australia, so to lose him to another code would be disappointing.

"I just hope he gets to do what he wants to do now, but if he's lost to rugby league than that'll be a real big loss."