Zac Lomax's pathway back to the NRL has been complicated by a fresh ruling that bars him from training with any club until his court case concludes.
The winger was let go by the Parramatta Eels at the end of 2025 so he could pursue options outside the NRL, notably the Saudi-backed R360 competition.
That competition, originally slated to start late in 2026, has been pushed back to 2028, leaving Lomax without a clear next step.
Earlier reports claimed the outside back told Parramatta he no longer wanted to play rugby league and even offered to buy out his contract.
Those reports also put him in discussions with Super Rugby sides Western Force and the Brumbies before Melbourne Storm expressed interest.
Parramatta had included a release clause designed to stop him playing against the club until at least 2029 unless they agreed otherwise.
The validity of that clause is now the subject of legal action, with Lomax arguing the release conditions are not enforceable.
The Storm are also accused of lodging a 2026 contract for Lomax on the NRL portal without consulting Parramatta.
Parramatta remain willing to negotiate a clean split, but sources say they would seek some form of compensation to do so.
The hearing was due this week but has reportedly been pushed back to March.
That delay comes after the official season opener in Las Vegas and in the week before Parramatta and Melbourne meet for the first Australian match.
As a result Lomax is certain to miss that fixture.
Even if a court clears him to play, the NRL training ban will delay his match readiness and integration into any team.
For now, his future remains in legal and contractual limbo.