Official thread and signing news

[SunshineCoastStormer]

Can’t remember the last time the Storm signed a super star from another NRL club and it worked - maybe Coates but he was still raw?

We seem more successful getting rough gems and turning them into very good or elite players (Katoa, Meaney, King)

We’ve got to stick to our identity and chasing stars of questionable character is not it…This is a crap outcome and just hope it has caused any unsettling of the current squad…

[SunshineCoastStormer]

Can’t remember the last time the Storm signed a super star from another NRL club and it worked - maybe Coates but he was still raw?

We seem more successful getting rough gems and turning them into very good or elite players (Katoa, Meaney, King)

We’ve got to stick to our identity and chasing stars of questionable character is not it…This is a crap outcome and just hope it has caused any unsettling of the current squad…

[yanjarra]

Agree that this is an embarrasment for the club as it stands. Whilst I was all for going after Lomax, that was on the proviso of course ...that we bloody got him! I trusted the club that they had dotted their I's and crossed their T's before starting out on this and that if someone was going to not have their house in order it would be the eels.

I still think there'll be more to come on this which may yet change the optics. The last day has hairs on it, I mean, all the evidence and facts of the case would of already been presented and this could of been settled in the same way it was today before getting to the hearing date yesterday. Why wait and come all this way and then not have the hearing when nothing would of changed, were they trying to bluff each other? I can't see how zac/storm/his legal team just go, 'oh ok, a year off the restriction, I'll sit out for 2 years, nothing else changes, we'll pay all your legal fee's and leave it at that, good day sir'. Not on the day they arrive for the hearing ready to go. Surely if that's the case they just go ahead with the hearing having come all this way with it.

It smells of something else having been negotiated in principle we don't yet know. I wouldn't be surprised there's another agreement in principle that's been done we've not yet heard of involving a player swap and storm paying the fees. If that ends up being the case then it makes a bit more sense perhaps and is slightly less embarrasing, but if the whole thing ends up being just dead in the water today and we hear no more of it - then shame on you storm.

[Storm Spirit]

Agree that this is an embarrasment for the club as it stands. Whilst I was all for going after Lomax, that was on the proviso of course ...that we bloody got him! I trusted the club that they had dotted their I's and crossed their T's before starting out on this and that if someone was going to not have their house in order it would be the eels.

I still think there'll be more to come on this which may yet change the optics. The last day has hairs on it, I mean, all the evidence and facts of the case would of already been presented and this could of been settled in the same way it was today before getting to the hearing date yesterday. Why wait and come all this way and then not have the hearing when nothing would of changed, were they trying to bluff each other? I can't see how zac/storm/his legal team just go, 'oh ok, a year off the restriction, I'll sit out for 2 years, nothing else changes, we'll pay all your legal fee's and leave it at that, good day sir'. Not on the day they arrive for the hearing ready to go. Surely if that's the case they just go ahead with the hearing having come all this way with it.

It smells of something else having been negotiated in principle we don't yet know. I wouldn't be surprised there's another agreement in principle that's been done we've not yet heard of involving a player swap and storm paying the fees. If that ends up being the case then it makes a bit more sense perhaps and is slightly less embarrasing, but if the whole thing ends up being just dead in the water today and we hear no more of it - then shame on you storm.

Tripp didn't get to where he's got by being anyone's bunny

[Storm Spirit]

Agree that this is an embarrasment for the club as it stands. Whilst I was all for going after Lomax, that was on the proviso of course ...that we bloody got him! I trusted the club that they had dotted their I's and crossed their T's before starting out on this and that if someone was going to not have their house in order it would be the eels.

I still think there'll be more to come on this which may yet change the optics. The last day has hairs on it, I mean, all the evidence and facts of the case would of already been presented and this could of been settled in the same way it was today before getting to the hearing date yesterday. Why wait and come all this way and then not have the hearing when nothing would of changed, were they trying to bluff each other? I can't see how zac/storm/his legal team just go, 'oh ok, a year off the restriction, I'll sit out for 2 years, nothing else changes, we'll pay all your legal fee's and leave it at that, good day sir'. Not on the day they arrive for the hearing ready to go. Surely if that's the case they just go ahead with the hearing having come all this way with it.

It smells of something else having been negotiated in principle we don't yet know. I wouldn't be surprised there's another agreement in principle that's been done we've not yet heard of involving a player swap and storm paying the fees. If that ends up being the case then it makes a bit more sense perhaps and is slightly less embarrasing, but if the whole thing ends up being just dead in the water today and we hear no more of it - then shame on you storm.

Agreed. Could be waiting on another Parra player to indicate whether they wish to a make a move to Melbourne Storm.

Or this could be the end of the matter and nothing happens.

If so...that will be more than slightly embarrassing.

[Traylor]

Yeah I get the feeling that it isn't over yet.....not sure where they go from here, but if an agreement was as close as it sounds, I wouldn't be surprised if something eventuates fairly soon anyway.

However, if this is it....it's farcical. Storm just paid a heap of money to go back to square one. I think that's pretty much the worst outcome possible from this whole mess.

[Bullucked]

However, if this is it....it's farcical. Storm just paid a heap of money to go back to square one. I think that's pretty much the worst outcome possible from this whole mess.

And we look like mercenary toolbags, a big self black eye.

[Shuttlesworth99]

I don’t like the restraint - but you have to accept it.

I think the nrl needs to have stricter rules for early releases - this is more on the system than the teams or even the players.

It’s an ugly look for all parties now.

[sallymay]

I reckon he will end up playing this year Proberly not with us now but I’m sure he will get a proper manager and get them to negotiate with a team …it will come down to money in the end they say they won’t take just money but it will happen

[Storm Spirit]

I reckon he will end up playing this year Proberly not with us now but I’m sure he will get a proper manager and get them to negotiate with a team …it will come down to money in the end they say they won’t take just money but it will happen

Do we assume that the rumours around Shawn Blore being keen to get back to Sydney at the end of this year, were not accurate. If Blore had seriously wanted back, did Parra have any need for him as part of the Lomax stuff ?

[Mstorm1999]

Apparently the Storm were offering Pahulu as compensation for Lomax. That seems bizarre.

We only just signed him after he won Rookie of the Year with the Titans and received high praise, even from Bellamy. And given that we desperately need another enforcer in the middle, it seems very odd that the Storm would be willing to let him go.

I guess Pahulu hasn’t impressed, isn’t part of the future plans for our forward pack, and looks likely to be let go when his contract is up, based on this.

[Storm Spirit]

Apparently the Storm were offering Pahulu as compensation for Lomax. That seems bizarre.

We only just signed him after he won Rookie of the Year with the Titans and received high praise, even from Bellamy. And given that we desperately need another enforcer in the middle, it seems very odd that the Storm would be willing to let him go.

I guess Pahulu hasn’t impressed, isn’t part of the future plans for our forward pack, and looks likely to be let go when his contract is up, based on this.

Yeah that's potentially a real concern isn't it ....

[Lucas]

But Yanjarra told us he was flying.

[yanjarra]

But Yanjarra told us he was flying.

I notice the source of this is the smh's Lian Payten and Adrian Proszenko who quote 'Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity'. Hardly bombproof intel. Ok for the smh to have no idea most the time, but when its at the expense of yanjarra its the most solid news media around ay..


I stick by what I said, doesnt mean necessarily he wasn't/isn't going well (if it happens to be true) I'd trade pahulu for lomax every day of the week also..... both can be true.

We also dont know whats happening off field for him, given theres no solid injury news perhaps something has gone on..

Or hes just injured and thats why hes not there. Surely even you cant belive he wouldnt at least be named in cup if fit

[Utha]

Zac Lomax has signed with Western Force in the Super Rugby for two seasons, effective immediately.
The Rugby World Cup carrot is there, I guess.