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Zac Lomax

TheParraboy

TheParraboy

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from the above article


The Eels have taken legal actions against the Australian and State of Origin star to enforce the terms of his release from his $700,000-a-year deal and in turn block him from signing with the Storm without their written consent.

However, when the two parties arrived at court on Monday, Lomax’s barrister Adam Casselden SC told the court the parties had been locked in negotiations overnight.

The start of the hearing was delayed several times before Mr Casselden asked for the hearing to instead start on Tuesday.

Mr Casselden told the court on Monday afternoon that the parties were nearing a deal.

“My present instructions are the parties are very close to a resolution,” Mr Casselden said.

He then asked for the matter to return to court at 10am on Tuesday - which the Eels agreed to.

The court was told that the negotiations would continue on Monday afternoon.

“I wish you well in your discussions,” Justice Francois Kunc told the court.

Melbourne is due to open its NRL season against the Eels at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

It was anticipated that the legal proceedings would prevent Lomax from being available for the start of the season.

The hearing was scheduled to run this week, with further sitting days on March 13 and 17.

An immediate deal between the Eels and Storm could potentially open the door for Lomax to turn out against his former club, though Parramatta could ask for him to be made unavailable until round 2.

Documents released by the court detail the negotiations between the Storm and the Eels, including Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp’s refusal to entertain a player swap proposed by the Eels.

Mr Tripp proposed a $100,000 transfer fee, which was upped to $200,000 a day later.

According to the court documents, the Storm made an offer for $300,000, with $211,000 to be in the form of salary cap relief and the remaining $89,000 to come in the form of a transfer fee.
 
TheParraboy

TheParraboy

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Lomax’s lawyers claim that the Eels breached the deed of release by unreasonably withholding their consent to Lomax joining the Storm.

His lawyers argued there was an implied term in the deed of release the Eels would not unreasonably block him from playing with another NRL club.

They also argue, in court documents, the Eels benefited from Lomax’s release, including by freeing up salary cap space.

They say the Eels sought “unreasonable and unrealistic” transfer fees during negotiations with the Storm.

The Eels allege that on January 21, Storm chief executive Justin Rodski texted NRL chief executive Andrew Ando, saying: “Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on Parramatta to get this done.”

According to the court documents, the message further read: “Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”

“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,” the Eels said in the court documents.

The hearing continues on Tuesday.
 
G

Gherkin

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I hope we hold out. Force the release of the Lomax files. PVL has done a lot of good for the game but this could be the end of him if Tripps message about applying the blowtorch is any indication about what goes on behind closed doors.
They’ve offered to take matterson, I think he’ll retire anyway. They need to offer an outside back for us to even consider it
 
Stevie

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85 Baby said:
Back in negotiations.
I’ll throw it out there that I reckon the extension is waiting on a player from Melbourne agreeing to come to us, and maybe Matterson agreeing to release
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I f#$king hope we are waiting on that. Potentially a quality replacment, not as good as Lomax obviously but maybe this and freeing up a cap spot is possible?

Anything less is FAILURE!
 
Gronk

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TheParraboy said:
According to the court documents, the Storm made an offer for $300,000, with $211,000 to be in the form of salary cap relief and the remaining $89,000 to come in the form of a transfer fee.
Click to expand...

Storm offered salary cap relief ? By paying some of our players under our cap ?

If we tried that - it would be illegal for sure.

Thinking What GIF
 
85 Baby

85 Baby

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hineyrulz said:
We have spent over 400k on lawyer fee’s, unless they offer up one of the 3 players we asked for they can go and get f**ked.

What’s the point going through all this to fold at the last minute?? I want the Storm and NRL to squirm over this.
Click to expand...
Should’ve gone no win, no fee.
But I’m also very suss of settling now
 
T

Trifili13

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Outcome will obviously be interesting, especially if Storm do a player exchange, especially after steadfastly refusing. The conspiracy theorist in me says the Storm tried to roughshod Parra with some help from the NRL, Parra have stood their ground, and Storm and NRL don't want any more dirty laundry aired so will settle for a player swap and NRL will come out with some statement that parties are happy and that the game is the winner.

I hope Parra don't settle for cash.
 
Chipmunk

Chipmunk

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Trifili13 said:
Outcome will obviously be interesting, especially if Storm do a player exchange, especially after steadfastly refusing. The conspiracy theorist in me says the Storm tried to roughshod Parra with some help from the NRL, Parra have stood their ground, and Storm and NRL don't want any more dirty laundry aired so will settle for a player swap and NRL will come out with some statement that parties are happy and that the game is the winner.

I hope Parra don't settle for cash.
Click to expand...
I reckon the NRL has told the Storm their dirty laundry isn't going to be dragged through the courts. Get it settled now.

I'm also wondering if Chimes is offering up another one of his players as part of the deal. https://www.gssportsmanagement.com.au/rugby-league
 
senior

senior

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hindy111 said:
They lost Katoa for season. Unsure if losing Blore to gain Lomax improves them.
I just dont see them as a top 4 side so maybe they are happy to build for 2027?
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Yeh it doesn’t make sense but Blore has openly said he wants to move to Sydney for 2027. Seems the most logical choice for the Storm to move on

Cooper Clarke will be a star and he played in the backrow in the trials
 
Stevie

Stevie

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senior said:
Yeh it doesn’t make sense but Blore has openly said he wants to move to Sydney for 2027. Seems the most logical choice for the Storm to move on

Cooper Clarke will be a star and he played in the backrow in the trials
Click to expand...
I really don’t watch Blore much. Where would you rank him against our back row options? Where does he rank in the scheme of things.
 
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