As per the SMH's Adrian Proszenko
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-dragged-into-lomax-legal-stoush-against-eels-20260225-p5o5am.html
The NRL has been dragged into the Zac Lomax legal stoush after Parramatta issued an urgent subpoena to obtain documents relating to head office’s involvement in the matter.
The Eels enjoyed a mini victory ahead of next week’s hearing by ensuring Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp has to testify in person, rather via video link. Now lawyers acting for the blue and golds have requested the NRL to hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga.
Parramatta powerbrokers privately believe the NRL has sided with Melbourne in the matter.
Parties are normally given two weeks to comply with subpoena requests, but the NRL will be required to provide materials to the court by Friday. There is then expected to be legal argument on Monday as to whether they are admissible at the hearing.
In explosive documents tendered to the Supreme Court, it was revealed Storm chief executive Justin Rodski allegedly sent a text message to NRL CEO Andrew Abdo stating: “Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on parramatta [sic] to get this done.”
According to a document tendered to the court by the Eels: “This message was an attempt to use the NRL to place pressure on the Parramatta Eels to resolve the matter on terms acceptable to the Melbourne Storm.
“During negotiations, this communication was not disclosed by the Melbourne Storm to the Parramatta Eels. It is not known whether any other communications have occurred between the NRL and the Melbourne Storm concerning the placing of pressure or otherwise on the Parramatta Eels to accept offers made by the Melbourne Storm.”
Replies
Great timing .... just as Abdo & V'landys land in Vegas.
Love it!
Absolutely, Axel. Perfect. Very proud of the Eels, this is a big move.
Hopefully Parra has them by their metaphorical short n curlies!
Here we go, let's see how it all ends up. Us against the world at this stage. If we lose this case god help us. If we win, it starts a revolution.
LB, maybe not us against the world. I think a few other clubs and members are also supporting us. Major ramifications, irrespective of the findings and decisions of the court. It might cut down the power base of Vlandys and friends.
Well if there are things in there that show them siding with Melbourne it will lead to Abdo standing down and V'Landys would be forced to stand down. Imagine that a few rounds into the season that a CEO and Chairman are gone.
If there is any indication of a biased approach from the NRL, then Vlandys and Abdo need to resign with immediate effect. You just have to admire and respect the methodology of the SC, Arthur Moses. He doesn't fire his bullets all at once, picks the time and then fires a round but keeps more for a later shot. This keeps the other side unbalanced and not knowing what to expect next.
It started with the subpoena of documents at the first hearing that revealed some initial discussions between Storm and NRL, now the requirement of their chairman to be questioned under oath and now the subpoena of NRL documents. I wonder what other bullets he has ready to shoot?
The other alternative in all of this is that the Storm might say, this is getting too dirty, let's withdraw our defence and move on. This has happened before.
Yep! Arthur Moses is a champ! We need their docs to prove our case thst the storm were lying to us...that's the premise hehe. We all know why we want the verification tho ;)
this is exactly where we knew this would head... nrlww1
Exciting!
Does V'Landys campaigning for Lomax and saying $300k is a great deal count as bias?
I am sooo proud of our Club