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.

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      • I suspect they've done it before and it worked; so they do it again until someone has the balls to *uck them off  

        • They've been doing it all day ref...time for a send-off

      • It's the obvious coziness between the Storm and NRL hierarchy that is astounding. 

        • Hit nail on head there Muttman. That's my biggest issue with these revelations and it hits an awful truth for myself too :(

      • Yes Macy, that is a very salient aspect of this discussion.

        Haven't read the rest of this thread yet, but that say's so much to an observant eye!

        • Only reason I can possibly see nrl backed storm is possibly due to them having a contract signed in portal before discussions per our agreement with Lomax...again unjustified but to help the guilty and their seemingly pally party out. Coz storm being in that illegal predicament  is extremely ugly to them and would force an action by nrl I'd imagine. Can't have that happening with these 'mates' based on the ease of these of discussions between storm and nrl ?

          someone has got to step down or forever never will or should be trusted as head of game... ta ta vlandys abdo or whomever!

    • The effects of Sunlight can be spectacular....there will be scapegoats pegged out but hpoefully the crocodiles knoe exactly who needs feeding on....Tooth & Claw for all involved

  • We now know why the Storm and NRL are so keen to wrap this up quickly. It's showing that there is an understanding between the big clubs and the NRL that you can bully perceived smaller clubs into decisions. I want the Storm added to this case. Then if we get further evidence of collusion between the Storm and NRL, we should be calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the NRL. You can't have the head of a commercial sport actively manipulating player rosters to benefit different sides. This is verging on plain as day corruption.

    Somewhat ironically, it'd be the gambling industry that would have a dog in this fight. 

    • Hard to see how V'Landys reputation is going to survive this obvious evidence of favoritism. We just have to imagine the absurdity of V'Landys only available options for defending the favouritism:

      1) Making the Storm the victim, which on ladder position track record is self-evidently absurd, not to mention involving V'Landys setting a public precedent that he supports those breaching contracts not those honoring them. 
      2) Martyr Lomax. Which will torch everything V'Landys has said or might say in future about players breaking contracts, seeking R360 placement, etc. 

      It's literally a PR disaster for V'Landys and his only real means out of it is to break bread with the Eels and give them his support. 

    • Super, when I read "parliamentary inquiry into the NRL" my I got so hard I almost fainted. That is how the Blowtorch goes up their own arse

      Tripp Out

      Pack-ya- Bags Pete

      Adios Andy....it was shit, but we will quickly forget the lot of you

This reply was deleted.

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macybrown replied to SuperEel 22's discussion CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal
"Only reason I can possibly see nrl backed storm is possibly due to them having a contract signed in portal before discussions per our agreement with Lomax...again unjustified but to help the guilty and their seemingly pally party out. Coz storm…"
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Poppa replied to SuperEel 22's discussion CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal
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macybrown replied to SuperEel 22's discussion CONFIRMED: Storm asked NRL to bully Eels into Lomax deal
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