What's new
By:
Advanced search…
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Zac Lomax

Twizzle

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
157,820
JokerEel said:
How does the AFL have trades?
Click to expand...

Players swap clubs regularly as they have to play where they are drafted for 4 years, basically, 18 to 22 years old.

Then they tend to trade players for draft picks when they want to change clubs or go back home or to the club they want to play for.
 
Captain Apollo

Captain Apollo

Coach
Messages
18,426
JokerEel said:
How does the AFL have trades?
Click to expand...

As others have said, its becuse of the CBA between the AFL and the AFLPA. It even acknowledges its a restraint of trade and the AFLPA commits in the CBA to not challenge it in court I believe.

The RLPA, or as it was called at the time (iirc) the NSWRLPA had agreed with a draft coming into the NSWRL. Thing is so many players were against it, former Dragons great Kevin "Kandos" Ryan ran against then then President on anti-draft platform and won hands down. That's why they were willing to support Terry Hill's court case against the NSWRL's draft in the early 1990s.
 
Captain Apollo

Captain Apollo

Coach
Messages
18,426
Johnny88 said:

NRL dragged into Lomax legal stoush against Eels​

Adrian Proszenko

By Adrian Proszenko (Parra Fan)​

February 25, 2026 — 10.53am
Save

Share
Normal text sizeaLarger text sizeaVery large text sizea


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.
Parramatta began legal proceedings to prevent Lomax from joining the Storm, given his release from a four-year contract was contingent on the Eels providing written consent. The Blues winger was granted a release to join rebel rugby competition R360, but has been left in limbo after its inaugural season was put back until 2028.
The Zac Lomax court case is heating up.

The Zac Lomax court case is heating up.Credit:Getty Images
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.
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.

Parramatta powerbrokers privately believe the NRL has sided with Melbourne in the matter.
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.”
Rodski added: “Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”
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.”
More to come

www.smh.com.au

NRL dragged into Lomax legal stoush against Eels

There’s been yet another twist in the Zac Lomax legal stoush, with the NRL now required to provide details about their involvement in the matter.
www.smh.com.au www.smh.com.au
Click to expand...

Pity you posted it so early, as the part that was in the "More to come" part of the article is even more important and disturbing to read (source: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...egal-stoush-against-eels-20260225-p5o5am.html) -

The Eels also alleged that in a phone call between Tripp and Eels counterpart Matthew Beach on January 13, the latter again rejected a $200,000 transfer 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.”

The Eels raised the assertion in writing on January 22 with Abdo, who denied the NRL had made such a statement to the Storm.
Click to expand...

That paragrapgh I bolded is disturbing to read, especially if the NRL did consider any such action against the Eels.

The rest of the article follows (source: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...egal-stoush-against-eels-20260225-p5o5am.html) -

ARLC chairman Peter V’landys has publicly supported Lomax, raising concerns about his mental state and claimed the star winger has copped a public pile-on akin only to that endured by Latrell Mitchell.

“I know the character of the bloke, he’s a good person,” V’landys told this masthead earlier this month, pointing to charity work he had undertaken.

In court on Tuesday, the barrister acting for the Eels, Arthur Moses, said it was appropriate Tripp should have to provide his evidence in person.

“Mr Tripp is not only a witness in this case, he is a central player in respect of this saga,” Moses said.

“He is the one who of course who made the initial contact with Parramatta in respect of Mr Lomax going across to the Storm.

“He is the one who has given comfort to Mr Lomax by having the Melbourne Storm not only reach an agreement with him, in respect of him playing for the Storm subject to contractual terms, but also indemnifying him in respect of the restraint that is now being said is invalid weeks after he and his lawyers not only assisted in the drafting of it, but agreed to its terms.

“He is a strategist behind the matter. He is not a witness – we say he is an actor in respect to this. He has a big part …

“Mr Tripp looms large in respect of the matter. His credibility is at issue in respect to the proceedings.”
Click to expand...
 
Johnny88

Johnny88

Juniors
Messages
1,713
Captain Apollo said:
Pity you posted it so early, as the part that was in the "More to come" part of the article is even more important and disturbing to read (source: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...egal-stoush-against-eels-20260225-p5o5am.html) -



That paragrapgh I bolded is disturbing to read, especially if the NRL did consider any such action against the Eels.

The rest of the article follows (source: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...egal-stoush-against-eels-20260225-p5o5am.html) -
Click to expand...
That paragraph was posted in earlier articles posted last week.
 
Z

Zoso

Juniors
Messages
665
From the SMH article “Lawyers acting for the blue and golds have now requested the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga.”
This is the part that I think the club has been keeping up their sleeve. The text from Tripp to Abdo was one thing, how he responded is another thing altogether…
 
blue bags

blue bags

Coach
Messages
10,748
Zoso said:
From the SMH article “Lawyers acting for the blue and golds have now requested the NRL hand over all information relating to its involvement in the Lomax saga.”
This is the part that I think the club has been keeping up their sleeve. The text from Tripp to Abdo was one thing, how he responded is another thing altogether…
Click to expand...
he might have responded
maybe EELS could be a feeder club for the Melbourne Storm ?
😉
 
Z

Zoso

Juniors
Messages
665
eel01s said:
If there is even a hint in writing or voice message that the NRL offered to help the Storm it will be the end of that person' career in the game. And so it should be.

Eels may get two wins here for the price of one.
Click to expand...
I bet there are about 14 clubs very interested to see what was said.
Storm, Roosters, Broncos might already have a good idea of how the inner machinations of the NRL work for their clubs.
 
A

Angry_eel

First Grade
Messages
8,852
Zoso said:
I bet there are about 14 clubs very interested to see what was said.
Storm, Roosters, Broncos might already have a good idea of how the inner machinations of the NRL work for their clubs.
Click to expand...
It makes a mockery of us fans though if NRL prefer some clubs over others. Ramifications could be huge politically.

If it's bad enough(and I doubt it will be), it might need government involvement into NRL.
 
Z

Zoso

Juniors
Messages
665
Angry_eel said:
It makes a mockery of us fans though if NRL prefer some clubs over others. Ramifications could be huge politically.

If it's bad enough(and I doubt it will be), it might need government involvement into NRL.
Click to expand...
Agree. Anything too incriminating would probably be done via phone call or in person, if it actually happened.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Top