Off-contract NRL man Matt Lodge has once again been linked with Super League of late but the hard-hitting forward has now spoken on his future, stating that he is ‘hopeful’ of remaining in the NRL.
A recent report from Love Rugby League linked Lodge with a move to Super League around a year after speculation started in 2025 about a possible switch to the northern hemisphere.
According to the latest report, the North Queensland Cowboys prop has been offered to Super League clubs for 2027 but it seems that the 31-year-old has no intent of making the move just yet.
“I am hopeful of staying in the NRL,” Lodge said per The Australian.
Lodge, who has played 12 games in 2026 for the Cowboys, has a total of 145 NRL appearances with the bulk of those coming for Brisbane between 2018 and 2021, though he’s since played for four different teams.
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In his final year at Manly, he played just 12 times and Lodge admitted that he felt his 2025 season was ‘disrupted’ when airing his intent and his belief that he can still command NRL interest.
He said: “I have eased my way into this year having a disrupted year last year, but I feel my form has been good for the Cowboys. I have played the whole season so far and my body is feeling good.
“The minute I can’t do it anymore, I won’t do it but at the moment I feel like there’s something to offer and I’m enjoying my footy which is the main thing.”
One of Lodge’s teammates could also be a possible target for Super League clubs with former England international John Bateman yet to play for the Cowboys this season and only just returning to action this weekend, playing in the Queensland Cup for Townsville in his first game since the first Ashes Test.
Off-contract at the end of the year, Super League clubs could show interest in a move for the 32-year-old who has a loan spell with Warrington Wolves in 2024.
