The Parramatta Eels’ roster management has hit another turbulent patch, with emerging reports suggesting that Sean Russell—the man widely tipped to fill the void left by Zac Lomax—is himself attracting significant interest from the NRL’s newest expansion franchise. While the Eels had hoped for a seamless transition in their backline, the looming presence of the Perth Bears threatens to turn a temporary vacancy into a long-term recruitment nightmare.
The Eels’ off-field headaches began in earnest following the dramatic fallout with Zac Lomax. Despite being signed as a marquee addition, Lomax was released from the final three seasons of his lucrative deal in a move that stunned the rugby league community. For a period, it appeared Lomax might spearhead a cross-code jump to the R360 rebel rugby competition. However, with that startup league’s launch pushed back to 2028, his immediate future remains a subject of intense speculation.
Even if rugby union remains an ultimate destination—with the Wallabies reportedly monitoring his availability ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup—the bridge back to Parramatta has effectively been burned. Club insiders suggest that Lomax’s prospects of pulling on the blue-and-gold jersey again are non-existent, leaving the Eels with a massive hole on their flank.
Enter Sean Russell. The 23-year-old club junior has long been viewed as a high-ceiling talent, and with Lomax out of the picture, Russell is the natural heir to the starting wing position for the 2026 season. Under contract for the next two years, the local product has a golden opportunity to cement himself as a foundational piece of the Eels’ future.
However, the security of that contract is being tested by the aggressive recruitment strategy of the Perth Bears. Set to enter the NRL in 2027, the Bears are currently scouring the market for reliable, first-grade-hardened talent to form the backbone of their inaugural roster. Russell, with his combination of youth and top-flight experience, has emerged as a primary target for the Western Australian side.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that while Parramatta is desperate to retain Russell’s services beyond his current deal, the lure of being a foundation player in Perth—likely coupled with a significant salary increase—presents a genuine threat. The Eels now find themselves in a delicate position: they must rely on Russell to perform in 2026 while simultaneously fending off external offers that could see him depart just as he hits his athletic prime.
For Parramatta fans, the situation is a frustrating case of history repeating. The club has struggled in recent years to retain homegrown talent amidst the salary cap pressures of a competitive market. Losing Russell shortly after the Lomax debacle would not only deplete their depth but also raise serious questions about the club’s long-term roster strategy under their current leadership.
As the 2026 season approaches, the pressure is on the Eels’ front office to provide Russell with a compelling reason to stay. If they fail to secure his signature on an extension soon, the “Perth factor” will only grow stronger. For a club that was once touted as a premiership heavyweight, the prospect of losing two elite outside backs in quick succession is a crisis they can ill afford.