Legal expert: NRL should be concerned by Storm's audacious texts

Former Wests Tigers chair Lee Hagipantelis has been left staggered at the lack of scrutiny towards the Melbourne Storm hierarchy after a text message chain with the NRL was uncovered.

During legal proceedings between Zac Lomax and his former club Parramatta, texts between Storm CEO Justin Rodski and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo allegedly reveal that the former asked the latter to intervene and allow Lomax to join Melbourne.

Lomax was released by Parramatta at the end of the 2025 season in order for the NSW representative to pursue an opportunity with rebel rugby competition R360.

After R360 was postponed until 2028, Lomax attempted to join the Storm for the 2026 season which violated the condition of his release with Parramatta.

Court documents revealed that Rodski texted Abdo on January 21:

“Hi Andrew, not getting anywhere at this point, can you apply the blow torch on parramatta [sic] to get this done.

“Lomax staying in the NRL is obviously a win for the game.”

Hagipantelis broke it down on SEN 1170.

“This is very concerning,” he said.

“I am surprised that this hasn’t received more attention.

“There is no doubt that these documents have been produced to the courts in response to a subpoena.

“It’s been reported and I understand it hasn’t been refuted, there was a text there from Rodski to Andrew Abdo.

“Abdo represents the NRL (but) this is a private contractual dispute between Parramatta and a former employee.

“The sense that a CEO from another club, who stands to benefit from the outcome if it falls in their favour, seeks the assistance of an administrator to exert undue influence to achieve an outcome is mindblowing.

“To Andrew’s credit, he did not intervene in response to that text message.

“The audacity to send that text to the NRL to resolve a contractual dispute between two private parties to their benefit staggers the mind.”

Lomax is due back in court for a five-day hearing on March 2.

The Eels kick off their 2026 campaign against the Storm at AAMI Park on March 5.