Ryan Matterson's latest concussion problems may unintentionally ease the stalemate between Melbourne and Parramatta over Zac Lomax.
Matterson has endured recurring head injuries through his NRL career, and recent symptoms suggest he faces a decisive juncture.
He recalled a troubling 2018 run when he suffered three head knocks in three weeks.
"I couldn't leave to go anywhere," Matterson told NRL.com.
"I was dizzy, I had sensitivity to light and noise. I was getting tired easily. With the head, it's a touchy subject because not many people know about it, and only I, as an individual, know how I feel."
He later said his time at the Wests Tigers ended amid disagreements over how the club managed his head injury concerns.
This season more dizziness and headaches prompted neurological testing and restricted him to just four NRL matches last year.
Matterson has been absent from Parramatta's trial games so far and his playing status remains unresolved.
Although Parramatta still holds a contract with him through the end of this season, the club allowed him to pursue other options last year.
That flexibility could influence talks over Zac Lomax if the Eels need to reassess their roster because of Matterson's availability.
If his health forces Parramatta to seek reinforcements, Melbourne might find the opening it needs to break the Lomax deadlock.