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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  • Valndys has it in for us for some reason. We never had a fair draw since 2019.

    • Agree

  • And this is the sort of thing I had hoped would come out in discovery

  • 31084501487?profile=RESIZE_930x

  • I see why melbournes ceo had that public wings about us last week; he must have known this had been subpoenaed and he was wanting to get on the front foot with damage control

    • When he whinged that we must stop leaking? LOL. He gonna need a raincoat & bucket now

      • Haha!

        bit of bad juju on some quite deserving can be quite satisfying ;) 

  • In order to provide an impartial appearance to all NRL clubs why didn't Abdo/Vlandys advise Eels of the messages from Storm? Let's start a petition, Vlandys Out. C..t

    • I've thought about this since your prior comment. We have a valid voice in this, one the entire fanbase can relate to. And we have some crafty cats here. Let's see what else Santa brings and create a plan.

  • So what does exactly mean for the Storm, Lomax and Parra? Surely, these documents will favour Parra? What are the most probable consequences for the Storm and Lomax now

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