Parramatta to cross examine Storm Chairman as Lomax legal woes to delay NRL return until at least Round 3

The Parramatta Eels have won the right to cross examine Matthew Trip, the Chairman of the Melbourne Storm in person as the court battle between the two clubs over Zac Lomax appears to no closer to reaching an agreement.

While the case is set to begin in proper next week, the Storm had been holding out hope that Lomax's future would be clearer by Round 2. The decision to allow Parramatta's legal team to cross examine Tripp will likely rule Lomax out until at least Round 3 with Tripp out of the country until the 11th of March and scheduled to appear in court on the 13th, the day after the Eels clash against Brisbane.

Arthur Moses SC who is Parramatta's legal counsel argued in court that the Eels would be disadvantaged should Tripp be allowed to appear in court via video link.

“Mr Tripp is not only a witness is this case, he is a centre player in respect of this saga,” Moses said in court, reported by the Daily Telegraph.

“He is the one who of course who made the initial contact with Parramatta in respect of 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 with the Storm subject to contractual terms, but also indemnifying him in respect of the restraint that is now being said is invalid.

“Him 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.”

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