CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal

Explosive courtroom documents obtained by The Sydney Morning Herald has revealed that the Melbourne Storm asked the NRL to "apply the blow torch" to Parramatta to release Zac Lomax.

A slew of documents released in the Supreme Court revealed that during a phone call between Storm chair Matt Tripp and Eels supremo Matthew Beach on January 13, that the Eels again rejected a $200,000 release fee.

“During the telephone call, Mr Tripp referred to the possibility of punitive steps being taken by the NRL against Parramatta Eels in relation to its salary cap if Parramatta Eels did not agree to the proposal being put forward by the Melbourne Storm,” according to a document the Eels tendered to the court.

“This assertion by the Melbourne Storm was intended or had the tendency to exert pressure on the Parramatta Eels in circumstances where the NRL had never communicated such a stance to the Parramatta Eels.”

It was further revealed that an alleged text from Storm CEO Justin Rodski to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo on January 21 was used to try and have the NRL pressure the Eels into a release.

“Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on parramatta [sic] to get this done.

Rodski added: “Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/storm-asked-nrl-to-apply-the-blow-torch-to-get-lomax-transfer-done-20260213-p5o224.html

It's what we always suspected. The Storm trying to bully their way into a deal that would favour them. They should be expelled from the competition.

"The gents leading the charge at Parra nowadays are very astute businessmen, given the position we have taken they are not about to let up for a player swap.. they fully intend to expose all for what they are. The powerbrokers are changing and the…"

"HOE. This is exactly what I was thinking. The Storm can't relieve our salary cap on their own. Either they proposed to take another player of our hands for $211k or they're actively working with the NRL (it seemed obvious now) to get this done. "

"Ok well that is a relief! Thankyou Badger!hope we get this win, be great to find a club that has someone willing to come to us tgat we want wouldn't that be fab ...maybe not this year but next hahs tough luck Lomax."

Replies

- - - - macybrown > Hell On Eels February 13, 2026 at 2:34pm
        
        Too right Hoe!!
        
        Longfin Eel > Hell On Eels February 13, 2026 at 8:36pm
        
        Yep, it's definitely harder to act with with compassion, but the rewards are great if you stick with it and maintain integrity. This is the making of Parra. This is how we win. Not through dodgy deals but with integrity and doing what is right.
- Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst > Hell On Eels February 13, 2026 at 2:47pm
  
  On FB, they posted the story but have turned off the comments 🤣🤣🤣
  - macybrown > Mr 'BringBackFitzy' Analyst February 13, 2026 at 3:25pm
    
    ... And so Analyst here's comes the brakes
    
    Or this article by SEN which apparently seemed to feel Tripp's disgusting words re actions to our Salary Cap was totally unworthy to include
    
    https://apple.news/Akj_SxP6jTOy8UQ0GzDY2Vg
    - Randy Handlinger > macybrown February 13, 2026 at 5:11pm
      
      That's OK Mace, this will grow it's own legs
      - macybrown > Randy Handlinger February 13, 2026 at 5:22pm
        
        Caterpillar's amount I reckon ;)
        
        Randy Handlinger > macybrown February 13, 2026 at 7:31pm
        
        LOL.
Eelovution February 13, 2026 at 1:21pm

In Arthur Moses, we trust
Hell On Eels February 13, 2026 at 1:25pm

There could be far more to come.

The SMH pointed out,"The documents (via court discovery) don’t reveal how the $211,000 would result in salary cap relief."
- Randy Handlinger > Hell On Eels February 13, 2026 at 7:33pm
  
  More docs pls. Mr Moses is a hungry lad.