Storm Accused of Urging NRL CEO to 'Apply Blow Torch' in Lomax Contract Battle
Melbourne Storm have been accused of asking NRL CEO Andrew Abdo to "apply a blow torch" to Parramatta Eels, as part of a desperate bid to secure winger Zac Lomax for the 2026 season. The escalating feud is now headed to the NSW Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for March 2, after Parramatta refused to grant Lomax permission to join the Storm.
Contract Release and Ongoing Dispute
Lomax was released from his $700,000-a-year contract with Parramatta last November, initially to support his move to the breakaway rugby competition R360, which has since been postponed. The Eels maintain that Lomax was aware he would need their consent to play for another NRL club before the end of 2028. Despite this, Melbourne have made three separate offers to Parramatta to free Lomax for the current season, all of which have been rejected.
The most recent offer, made this week, involved $300,000 for Lomax to play this season, including $211,000 in salary-cap relief. This courtroom battle has left Lomax with little chance of playing for Melbourne against the Eels in Round 1, as he is also unable to train with the Storm.
Allegations of Pressure and Sanctions
Court documents obtained by AAP reveal the intense nature of the dispute. Parramatta allege that Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp last month raised the possibility of salary-cap sanctions with Eels counterpart Matthew Beach if an agreement could not be reached. Additionally, the Eels accuse Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski of messaging Abdo on January 21, asking for head office to apply pressure.
The message from Rodski reportedly read: "Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch and get this done. Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game." In response, Abdo denied that the NRL had made any such statement to the Storm, according to the documents.
Legal Arguments and Implications
Lomax will argue in court that his release included a clause stating Parramatta "would not unreasonably" withhold consent for him to join another team, with an implied term of good faith. The 26-year-old, a NSW State of Origin representative, claims Parramatta always knew he might want to return to the NRL before 2028 and that they are now restraining him from playing in the world's most competitive and lucrative rugby league competition.
Parramatta counter that Lomax's exit impacted their football department, as they could not sign another player of his calibre on a three-season deal so late in the year. Under the release terms, Lomax was not blocked from playing rugby union or with non-NRL clubs, and he confirms receiving offers from Rugby Australia in December, though they were worth less than his previous deal.
Storm's Approach and Future Prospects
Lomax claims the Storm made an "unsolicited" approach to him, leading to a non-binding agreement to join. Parramatta allege this prompted train-and-trial deals from the Storm in early January, which Lomax contests. As the legal battle unfolds, Craig Bellamy's side faces uncertainty over whether Lomax will bolster their roster, highlighting the high stakes in this NRL contract saga.
