Lawyers for the parties appeared briefly before Associate Judge John Matthews in the High Court at Dunedin yesterday.
The matter was quickly adjourned to the next list day, September 10.
That followed a request from lawyer Alastair Logan, acting for Messrs Graham and Mains, who told the court settlement discussions were proceeding.
Mr Cull's legal representative also supported the move.
The Otago Daily Times in April reported Mr Cull faced legal action after questioning the now-former ORFU board's performance in a strongly-worded Radio NewZealand interview.
Mr Cull's comments came the day after the council agreed to wipe $480,000 owed to it and Dunedin Venues Management Ltd by the union.
Court documents later confirmed former ORFU chairman Mr Graham and former deputy chairman Mr Mains were together seeking more than $1 million in damages over allegations of defamation.
Yesterday's brief appearance followed an earlier teleconference between the parties' lawyers last month.
