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.”
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.
Replies
Spot on Pops, this really could end up anywhere, or it could all get resolved before the March court date, if a team makes a good offer that Zac and Parra are comfortable with. Many twists turns ahead for sure. So so interesting to watch.
Surely the Australian Rugby League Commissioners being Wayne Pearce OAM, Kate Jones, Allan Sullivan , Tony McGrath, Dr Gary Weiss and Professor Megan Davis must now follow their charter and question their Chairman in Peter V'Landys. and there NRL CEO Abdo. Surely this is exactly something the Commssion was introduced to tackle should it ever arise. They are Rugby Leagues independant custodians with enormous power within Rugby League.
On that point BE and since Storm clearly aren't willing to transfer a player we want; or they can claim no one wants to come I guess also- are storm able to just tear up the alleged signed contract they have with Lomax, in order for us to try negotiate with another club?
what I mean is that unapproved contract just not valid from here, or somehow is it a still legally binding deal between Lomax and storm?
A player has to be willing to transfer, which they can claim none of the ones we asked for want to I guess is their only argument. So, in that case it's no deal storm and we take Lomax for a swap somewhere else suitable.
coz if that's the case storm just don't get their man haha
yeah it's super interesting for sure esp when we are right morally. Hope the law sees it that way but who knows.
Macy, great point right there, i hadn't considered that contract, i dismissed it(probably wrongly) thinking it was an illegal contract..Great pickup. Even more interesting to watch.
Blue Eel do you think that contract could be just thrown out if we win at court though? Is it always regarded, or does it remain legally valid between the two Lomax and Storm?
might be a silly question as I don't know about that side of stuff at all.
I'd really love to know that, coz I wondered if that is why nrl overstepped the mark of whats right on our side of case. ie storm in ugly situation.
...and most importantly if we can actually and validly shop the grub away from his co-grubby club? Coz that'd be very satisfying and we might get someone who fits with who Ryles would like 👏
Thanks for your kind comment ;)
The NRL has to register it first so it is only a preliminary contract pending registration by NRL.
So if the court rules in our favour then I reckon it will not be registered.
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.
Surely the Australian Rugby League Commissioners being Wayne Pearce OAM, Kate Jones, Allan Sullivan , Tony McGrath, Dr Gary Weiss and Professor Megan Davis must now follow their charter and question their Chairman in Peter V'Landys. and there NRL CEO Abdo.
THISTHISTHISTHISTHIS
Pops, some realistic points.
The PR optics are disastrous, yet the wider transcript is missing. Without that we’re inferring and guessing what the NRL actually said in reply to the Storm.
Still, HQ, PLV, Abdo, the Storm heads, broadcasters and key stakeholders will be sweating on March 2nd. D-Day. If it happens. It is when more details are likely to emerge after this warning shot. Things could get nuclear.
Just playing Devils' advocate here. Hypothetically, in the best-case scenario for HQ, the response to the Storm might have been something along the lines of: “I understand your frustration, and emotionality, but we can’t intervene in that manner. While we clearly want Lomax playing and don't want him crucified as he's human and made a mistake, we have to act fairly and respect Parramatta’s position too, their registered agreement and let this play out in court."
The point is we don't actually know. Yet. We only know what the Storm said during those communications, at least in part.
Regardless of how the case pans out legally, or if a swap deal ever eventuates, we have won the majority of the battles and stood our ground, fighting the good fight.
Helluva warning shot.
Thet was not a dummy round
I see what you're saying and I generally agree. We need to tread carefully but decisively too. The real bombshell is making this known to all NRL fans. That's the win.
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