The NRL has become entangled in Zac Lomax‘s legal battle after the Eels issued a subpoena seeking documentation relating to the league’s involvement in the case.
Lomax has been fighting Eels lawyers over the past month in a bid to join the Melbourne Storm, but legal proceedings are ongoing as Parramatta stands firm.
The Eels initially launched the proceedings to block Lomax from jumping ship to a rival team after his move to R360 fell apart, with the rebel rugby league not set to start until 2028.
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Lomax was granted an early release to pursue a career in R360 after just one year at the Eels, but Parramatta insist the winger understood he would need to gain approval if he were to make the move and join a rival NRL team.
With the first hearing set to take place in front of the NSW Supreme Court next week, it has been confirmed that Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp will testify in person.
Zac Lomax of the Eels warms up. Getty
The Eels alleged that Tripp is the “strategist” behind the contract saga and declared he was the one who “made the initial contact” with the Eels about the possible move.
Now, a subpoena relating to the NRL’s involvement has been lodged, with the league required to hand over all documentation on the matter to the court by Friday.
In a hearing on Monday, it will be determined if the NRL’s documentation is admissible.
However, in new documents submitted to the Supreme Court and obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, it has been revealed Storm chief executive Justin Rodski allegedly texted NRL CEO Andrew Abdo about the matter.
“Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on Parramatta to get this done,” the message reportedly said.
“Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”
It was that message that the Eels declare was an attempt to increase pressure on the club in order 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,” the western Sydney based club said in a document tendered to the court.
“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.”
Parramatta has also alleged that a phone call between Tripp and Eels chairman Matthew Beach on January 13 that Melbourne’s transfer offer of $200,000 was rejected.
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“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,” Parramatta claimed in the court document.
“This assertion by the Storm was intended or had the tendency to exert pressure on the Eels in circumstances where the NRL had never communicated such a stance to Parramatta.”
It has also been reported that the Storm have promised to cover Lomax’s legal bills – a move that could be costly in the long run for the club due to possible salary cap implications.
Still, the race for Lomax to take to the field in a purple jersey by round one is slim and it is unclear exactly when he could return to the game.
In the meantime, the Storm will focus on hosting the Parramatta Eels in round one.