Updated July 14, 2026 — 10:49am,first published July 14, 2026 — 8:32amParramatta is attempting to prise Jack Howarth out of Melbourne, just months after the Storm refused to release him as part of a proposed swap for Zac Lomax.Howarth is contracted to Melbourne until the end of next year, but the club has permitted him to explore his options for 2027. His availability has piqued the interest of incoming franchises Perth and PNG, although the Eels appear to be his most likely destination.Melbourne centre Jack Howarth.Getty ImagesThere is still tension between Melbourne and Parramatta over the Lomax affair, with the clubs unable to agree to a deal that would result in the former NSW and Australian winger shifting south.The Eels were after one of three Storm players - Xavier Coates, Stefano Utoikamanu or Howarth - in exchange for Lomax. Melbourne weren’t prepared to release any of the trio, only offering Josiah Pahulu or Lazarus Vaalepu when attempts to rehome out-of-favour Eel Ryan Matterson went awry.The clubs also went into battle for the signature of Bronson Xerri, with the Storm ultimately securing the Bulldogs centre from next year. The addition of Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako, will also help offset the departures of Nick Meaney (Perth) and Will Warbrick (Warriors) next in 2027, while Xavier Coates will return after his season was written off due to an achilles injury.While the Storm will consider allowing Howarth to go early, it remains to be seen whether they are prepared to release him to the Eels given the tensions between the clubs.The Eels, who are in talks to sign Tigers co-captain Jarome Luai, are desperate to bolster their outside backs stocks. Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has a good relationship with Howarth from their time together in Melbourne and would be guaranteed a starting spot in the Eels backline if he made the switch.In other contract news, St George Illawarra utility Luciano Leilua has agreed to a three-year deal with Catalans. The Tongan international joins Castleford-bound Dragons teammates Damien Cook and Tyrell Sloan in shifting to the Super League.And Newcastle has agreed to an immediate release to rising teenage star Kingston Seve. The former Dolphins junior is seeking a move back to Queensland for family reasons and is likely to pick up a contract at the Dolphins, Titans or Broncos.The 17-year-old has been compared to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and, like the cross-code star, was granted an exemption to train with an NRL squad while still in his teens.Storm suffer finals setback with star half set for surgeryMelbourne have suffered a huge blow in the run to the NRL finals, with star five-eighth Cameron Munster booked in for an operation that could see him miss the rest of the regular season.The Storm are still a chance of playing finals. They are four points out of the top eight after 19 rounds but have a bye left in their campaign.Cameron Munster will miss at least a month for the Storm.Getty ImagesA 78th-minute Nick Meaney try got them home 22-18 over Gold Coast on Saturday night, but a run of seven straight defeats earlier in the season has left them four points outside the top eight.“Melbourne Storm can confirm Cameron Munster will undergo surgery on his knee after sustaining a cartilage injury,” a club statement released on Tuesday morning read.“Munster will begin his rehabilitation with Storm medical staff and is expected to be sidelined for at least 4-6 weeks.”The 31-year-old representative No.6 was rested by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy for the Titans clash after having played in all 15 club games he was available for this year and three State of Origin matches for Queensland.The Maroons skipper was replaced by Tyran Wishart for last Sunday’s clash at AAMI Park, and the 26-year-old utility is the front-runner to start in Friday night’s match against the third-placed Sydney Roosters (28 points).AAPMore:NRL 2026Around the clubsParramatta EelsMelbourne StormNewcastle KnightsSt George Illawarra DragonsFrom our partners