NRL forward Matt Lodge has finally confirmed his future after months of rumours regarding the Super League-linked prop.
Lodge was among the highest-profile NRL players not to have a deal for the 2025 season and in turn had been linked with Super League on several occasions.
The 29-year-old prop has over 120 NRL appearances to his name but injuries have hampered him in recent years and that has seen him jump from club to club, unable to tie down a long-term future.
Initially, Lodge reportedly refused a contract offer from his 2024 club Manly Sea Eagles with the prop as he insisted that he was worth more than the league minimum wage of $150,000 across two years.
He then reportedly penned a deal with St George Illawarra Dragons, however, there was confusion over the nature of the contract with the Dragons wanting the prop on a $1,200 train and trial deal, whereas Lodge wanted a more permanent role – thus leading to a collapse.
Fast forward three weeks and Lodge has now finally confirmed his future.
Super League-linked NRL forward Matt Lodge makes decision on 2025
Lodge has now gone full circle with the prop signing a deal with Manly Sea Eagles – the team who first offered him that two-year deal worth $150,000 according to reports in early October.
Manly confirmed that with a club statement as they revealed that Lodge will be “a part of the extended playing squad”, which in effect means he will play in the New South Wales Cup with the intent of earning that NRL call-up.
The statement read: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles is pleased to confirm Matthew Lodge will be a part of the extended playing squad for the 2025 season.
“Lodge will initially play NSW Cup with a view to forcing his way into the NRL squad.”
Speaking on the deal, Lodge said: “I know I’ll get back to where I want to be and I’m backing my ability.
“It wasn’t a case of me wanting to leave this club but the offer elsewhere at the time which I thought I was leaving for, was too good to refuse.
“I don’t need to go into all the details, but it is what it is and everything always works out in the end.”
He had previously ruled that “I can’t play for that amount where the sort of money is given to a id just coming out of school who hasn’t played a game of NRL” with the prop insistent on providing for his family.
Lodge has now said: “Although I need to pay the bills, it’s not all about money.
“I had an opportunity elsewhere, which at the time I thought was the right thing for us to do, but things change, and you adapt.
“After weighing it all up, I’ve realised that here is where I want to be, and I’m prepared to make sacrifices in the process.
“Now it’s up to me to do the work and fight my way back and to be ready whenever the team needs me.”
