'Apply the blow torch' - Stoush over Lomax ramps up.
Melbourne have been accused of asking NRL CEO Andrew Abdo to "apply a blow torch" to Parramatta as part of a push to secure Zac Lomax for the Storm.
Lomax's attempt to move to Melbourne for the 2026 season will be heard in the NSW Supreme Court on March 2 after Parramatta refused to clear him to join the Storm.
The Eels say Lomax knew he required their permission to play for another NRL club before the end of 2028 when they released him from a $700,000-a-year contract last November to support his R360 bid, ahead of that competition's postponed launch.
Melbourne has since tabled three separate proposals to Parramatta aimed at releasing him for this season, all of which were turned down.
The most recent offer included $300,000 to Parramatta for Lomax's services this year, with $211,000 designated as salary-cap relief.
The legal dispute has left Lomax unlikely to feature for Melbourne against the Eels in round one and unable to train with the Storm in the meantime.
Court documents obtained by AAP reveal details of the dispute that followed Lomax's November departure from Parramatta.
Notably, Parramatta allege Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp raised the prospect of salary-cap sanctions with his Eels counterpart Matthew Beach last month if the clubs failed to reach an agreement.
Parramatta also accuse Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski of messaging Abdo on January 21 to urge head office to place pressure on Parramatta.