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
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
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
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
Don't you just love it when evidence like this is exposed. Vlandys and Abdo's images have taken a hit here. Storm have always had special consideration from the nrl courtesy of their 0wners. Whereas we, and many more clubs never did. That fact was never universally acknowleged by all fans, but we had no doubt. So now the tide is turning and the amount of support from all league fans, once they spy these revelations will carry the day, not only for us but for all the clubs left out of the loop by the nrl. So carry on counsel Moses and show the world the amount of collusion that can follow when Big Business is allowed to "control the game!"
"Give us Zac"
"Uhhh ok but we want *insert name*"
"No just give him to us, we are not giving you anything"
"Well you do not get Zac"
"How dare you, Peter, Peter help!!!!!"
But remember, to some it is a case of "Oh well that is the way it goes" How is that fair?
I think very safe to say Melbourne will not be giving a player 100% now. They will not do it in spite of us. I can see them pulling the "Oh you didn't dump us, we dumped you" Change the narrative to suit them that they didn't lose.
What would NRL360 make of this I wonder?
Hey Legal Beagles, "It’s also alleged Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski texted Abdo on January 21: “Hi Andrew".....what would be required to obtain Andy's reply. Maybe he was smart enough not to. It wasn't required. It was understood that Andy would just go light the Oxy up.
Also, this article puts to rest what the big-mitted prick was costing us..
"Lomax was one season into a four-year Parramatta deal that had a base value of $700,000, supplemented by a $25,000 bonus for appearing in two State of Origin games, a private health insurance allowance of $5000 and relocation expenses of $10,000."...so it wasn't 600k, it was 730k/pa.
We now know who runs the game. Abdo denying he said anything. Bullshit he's hiding like the coward he is. Nrl didn't expect parra to fight this. Hopfully heads roll.
If the NRL are implicated in this with the Storm to deceive us with intent to harm or to suffer a loss that's now bigger then before. Thats not just rules based but criminally based. If this is the case I don't think the hearing in March will go ahead. The whole case/ matter gets expanded once again to include the Storm and to include the NRL. 5 days in March will not be anywhere near enough to examine, and cross examine so many people that will be subpoenaed to give evidence on this civil part.
Further there is now a real criminal aspect to this. A serious criminal legal investigation could now be triggered, if there is dishonesty and collusion to defraud the Eels.
Lets take a look:
'There's Fraud, Conspiracy to Defraud, There's Making or Publishing False Statements, Forgery / using false documents to defraud or trick.
Then you have my favourite straight out Blackmail section 249K of the Crimes act where the Storm attempted to Blackmail us in releasing Zac and if we didn't the NrL would apply punitive salary cap sanctions.
Then we have Misconduct in Office (common law) as the NRL are a publicly listed company.
There are a couple more but you get my drift where this may now go. There is some real serious penalties attached to some of these charges, and multiple people could be formally accused and charged if it were to go that way.
Time for some real reporting with the hard questions to be forthcoming. Could you imagine if they held a special commission into the NRL like they did with greyhound racing. Mind boggles.
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