The anticipated hearing for Zac Lomax in the NSW Supreme Court was postponed on Monday morning as NRL rivals, Parramatta and Melbourne, engaged in last-minute discussions to determine his future and circumvent court action.
Initially, Justice Francois Kunc approved a 90-minute delay, as requested by Lomax's lawyer, Adam Casselden, ahead of the proceedings that would shape the narrative leading up to Thursday's match between the Storm and Eels.
On Monday morning, Parramatta CEO Jim Sarantinos, chairman Matthew Beach, and football manager Mark O'Neill were present, while the court was informed that discussions had been ongoing overnight between the Eels and Storm, aimed at finding a resolution.
Although Lomax was absent at the start of the proceedings, he later arrived at the Supreme Court as efforts for a private settlement commenced behind closed doors. Following this, Justice Kunc granted an additional 30-minute adjournment before the hearing ultimately began.