Parramatta and Zac Lomax are on the verge of a legal settlement that would pave the way for the NSW Origin winger's move to the Melbourne Storm.
The parties were set for a week-long legal battle in the NSW Supreme Court, but the trial did not start on Monday as the Eels and the Storm continued talks to free Lomax from his NRL contract.
His barrister Adam Casselden SC told Justice Francois Kunc on Monday afternoon the parties were very close to a resolution, but he added he had no confidence it would be finalised by close of business.
The matter was adjourned until Tuesday morning, when Justice Kunc insisted the hearing would have to begin if no deal was finalised.
Lomax quit the Eels in November in a failed bid to join R360 before the breakaway rugby union competition's launch was postponed.
But his former club blocked his next move, a proposed shift to NRL powerhouse Melbourne for the 2026 season.
The Eels claimed the winger knew he would need their permission before tearing up his $700,000-a-year contract and moving to another NRL club.
When the hearing was due to begin on Monday, Mr Casselden asked for some time to keep trying to settle the matter outside of court.
Parramatta chief executive Jim Sarantinos, chairman Matthew Beach and football manager Mark O'Neill were spotted going in and out of courthouse meeting rooms to continue the discussions.
Lomax was in a meeting room with his lawyers but did not enter the courtroom.
Parramatta made their legal move after knocking back three separate compensation offers from Melbourne.
The most recent of those was a deal worth $300,000 including $211,000 in salary-cap relief.
Eels fan and esteemed barrister Arthur Moses SC represented the club.
An out-of-court settlement would keep Lomax in line to make an early-season return to rugby league as the Storm's season begins on Thursday night.
The 2025 grand finalists are booked to host the Eels in their season-opener.
A decision on the contract case had been expected to drag several weeks into the NRL season.
Melbourne's bid to land the NSW Origin representative took on added importance after star winger Xavier Coates was ruled out until round 10 with injury.
While that gap could have been filled by rising star Sua Fa'alogo, he's needed in the number-one jersey after star fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen left in October.
