The NRL is set to maintain its stance on contract-breaking former star Sonny Bill Williams, and ban him from ever returning to the code.
NRL chief executive David Gallop was careful yesterday not to close the door on a Williams return, but reiterated a willingness to punish the Kiwi for abandoning the game.
"It is a hypothetical question for the future," Gallop told Fairfax.
"First, he would need a club to be interested in him and wanting to take him on.
"Second, it's one thing for him to get out of his contract with the Bulldogs but the fact is he's left a lot of people in the game disillusioned by his actions. I don't think there are strong prospects of him being welcomed back to the game."
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are close to finalising their settlement deal with Williams' lawyers - and expect the $750,000 payout to be deposited today.
"We hope that the matter will be resolved tomorrow," Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg told Fairfax yesterday.
"We want payment in full. The ball is in their court."
The Bulldogs will wait until they receive payment in full before withdrawing the injunction preventing Williams from playing for French rugby side Toulon.
It's expected Williams will finalise the deal quite quickly, given Toulon have a trial match on Wednesday.
