Munster Views Lomax as Potential Bonus Amid Storm's Legal Battle
Melbourne Storm superstar Cameron Munster has expressed that securing State of Origin ace Zac Lomax would represent a valuable bonus for the club, rather than a necessity, as the winger remains entangled in legal proceedings initiated by the Parramatta Eels.
Legal Drama Escalates Over Lomax's Future
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing saga, Parramatta have taken decisive action by lodging court proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court to prevent their former gun winger from joining the Storm. The legal battle commenced on Tuesday, casting uncertainty over Lomax's immediate playing future.
The 26-year-old was originally granted a release from his four-year NRL contract at the conclusion of last season to pursue opportunities in the new rugby union competition R360. However, those plans collapsed when the league's proposed 2026 launch failed to materialise, leaving Lomax in contractual limbo.
Munster's Lighthearted Approach to Team Dynamics
Speaking during the Storm's team photo day on Wednesday, Munster adopted a characteristically relaxed stance regarding the Lomax discussions, even joking about the lack of questions regarding his Brisbane pub, The Milton.
"Pub's going well, thanks for asking," Munster quipped before addressing the Lomax situation more seriously. "I leave that up to the coaching staff and the owners. That's above my pay grade."
The Queensland captain acknowledged Lomax's potential value while emphasising the squad's current confidence. "He's a great asset to the club if we get him. But there's been a whole bit of publicity around it, and we're very confident, very comfortable with our squad at the moment."
Munster added perspective to the situation, noting "He'd probably add a nice element to it, but we're not putting all our eggs in one basket, and worried about if we get him or not." The playmaker concluded by expressing his eagerness to move beyond pre-season preparations.
Storm Navigate Significant Off-Season Changes
The Melbourne club faces the new season following consecutive grand final defeats and substantial roster changes during the off-season. The retirement of fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and Nelson Asofa-Solomona's departure to pursue boxing have created significant gaps in the squad.
Adding further intrigue to the Lomax narrative, Melbourne will commence their season by hosting Parramatta at AAMI Park on March 5, setting the stage for a potentially charged encounter between the two clubs.
Katoa's Inspirational Recovery Journey
In more positive news for the Storm, forward Eli Katoa has made an inspirational return to club activities despite remaining sidelined indefinitely following emergency surgery for a brain bleed sustained during Tonga's Pacific Championships campaign.
Munster expressed admiration for his teammate's determination, revealing "Realistically, he shouldn't be around the club, but that's just how determined and how positive he is. He's come along in leaps and bounds compared to what probably the doctors and the medical side thought."
The Storm star praised Katoa's leadership qualities, noting "He's still in meetings, he's still training for himself. Being around the group, it just shows how much he loves rugby league, and how much he loves this group. He's even taken some of the younger boys under his wing."
Munster's Hope for Smith's Storm Return
In a separate development, Munster addressed Cameron Smith's recent appointment to a part-time coaching role with Brisbane Broncos, the club that defeated Melbourne in last year's epic grand final.
"It's disappointing to see him in different colours," Munster admitted, before expressing hope that Smith's Brisbane stint might be temporary. "He obviously wants to get a bit of development. He feels like there's a different way of coaching, and you never know, he might end up having some development there and come back down."
The Storm playmaker made clear his preference for Smith's eventual return, stating he would be thrilled if the NRL games record-holder eventually succeeded Craig Bellamy as Melbourne's head coach.
