‘Apply the blow torch’: Storm allegedly asked NRL to get Eels to release Lomax

The Melbourne Storm reportedly approached the NRL chiefs in a bid to sign Zac Lomax for 2026, asking the league to “apply the blow torch” to the holdout Parramatta Eels so that they’d release the rep winger from his contract exit clauses.

The southern NRL powerhouse allegedly told the Eels that the NRL could wield “punitive steps” against the club should they not agree to the $200,000-for-Lomax trade the Storm had offered.

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In new documents tendered to the Supreme Court, the Eels wrote that during a phone call between Storm chair Matt Tripp and Eels boss Matthew Beach on January 13, “Mr Tripp referred to the possibility of punitive steps being taken by the NRL against Eels in relation to its salary cap if Eels did not agree to the proposal being put forward by the Storm.”

Parramatta’s February legal write-up also added: “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 the Eels.”

The Eels said they asked the NRL to explain further; CEO Andrew Abdo denied making such a statement.

It’s also been alleged that Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski texted Abdo on January 21 (a day before the Eels met the NRL): “Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on parramatta [sic] to get this done.”

Rodski also allegedly texted: “Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”

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The documents also confirmed that the Storm had offered $100K, $200K, and then $300K to the Eels, all of which were rejected. The latter $300K was suggested to include $221K in salary relief for Parramatta, though that suggestion from the Storm was highlighted in particular because the NRL has never given out such salary cap relief from transfer fees before.

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Other details included in the documents include that Lomax texted Cameron Munster and Harry Grant on Christmas Eve, talking about a prospective move to the Storm in 2026, and included allegations that the 26-year-old contract rebel had signed an in-principle Melbourne agreement on the same day — five days before the Storm and Eels first spoke.

It was also confirmed the Storm had asked for Ryan Matterson to be included in a possible deal.