Player Matt Lodge

[Inruin]

Matt Lodge​

Matthew Lodge (born 31 May 1995) is a rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).

He previously played for the Wests Tigers, Brisbane Broncos, New Zealand Warriors and the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.

Lodge was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

He played his junior rugby league for St. Patricks Blacktown before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.

He played for Penrith's NYC team in 2012.

In September 2012, Lodge signed a contract with the Melbourne Storm starting in 2013. He played for the Storm's NYC team in 2013 and 2014. He was named at prop in the 2013 NYC Team of the Year.
In June 2014, Lodge joined the Wests Tigers mid-season for the remainder of the season, joining their NYC squad. In Round 17 of the 2014 NRL season, Lodge made his NRL debut for the Tigers against his former team, the Penrith Panthers. He made four first grade appearances for the year. He was described as a "110kg battering ram," who was "certain to feature in the regular squad next season." Later in the year, he was chosen to participate in the NSW under-20s pathway camp.

On 19 October 2015, Lodge was sacked by the Tigers after being arrested in New York City. He was due back in court for sentencing in December after entering a guilty plea.

After spending some time with the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup, Lodge signed a 1-year contract with the Brisbane Broncos starting in 2018.

Lodge made 22 appearances for Brisbane in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Lodge played in the club's elimination final against Parramatta which Brisbane lost 58-0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The defeat was the worst in Brisbane's history and also the biggest finals defeat in history.

On 19 February 2020, Lodge suffered an ACL injury during pre-season training for Brisbane and was ruled out for an extended period.

Lodge only featured in six games for Brisbane in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished last on the table.

Lodge agreed a midseason switch from Brisbane to the Warriors during the 2021 NRL season. In the final round of the 2021 NRL season, Lodge was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous high tackle in the club's 44-0 loss against the Gold Coast. In May 2022, Lodge was released from his New Zealand contract with immediate effect. Lodge was then paid out the remaining $700,000 of his contract in full by the club.

Following his abrupt departure from the New Zealand Warriors, Lodge was signed to a short-term contract by the Sydney Roosters, joining the club in July 2022. Following the clubs opening round loss of the 2023 NRL season, it was revealed that Lodge would be ruled out for an extended period after suffering a facial fracture. On 19 June, it was reported that Lodge had been granted an immediate release from his Sydney Roosters contract.

It was announced on 10 July 2023 that Lodge joined the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on a train and trial deal. In round 21 of the 2023 NRL season, Lodge made his club debut for Manly in their 30-26 victory over rivals Cronulla in the battle of the beaches game. On 5 August 2023, it was announced Lodge would miss approximately nine months with an ACL injury.

Lodge has played for the Australian Schoolboys.

In 2011, Lodge played for both the New South Wales Under 16s and Under 18s teams.

In 2013 and 2014, Lodge played for the New South Wales Under 20s team. Lodge was representing the NSW under-20s side when he was given a 3-week suspension after he was televised with the word "CUNT" clearly written on his wrist strapping.

On 2 May 2015, Lodge played for the Junior Kangaroos against Junior Kiwis.

Matthew Lodge - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Matt Lodge - Playing Career - RLP

A summary of the career stats for Matt Lodge, a rugby league player who played for the Wests Tigers, the Brisbane Broncos, the Warriors, the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

 

[Matiunz]

Interesting interview on James Grahams podcast.
Touches on his time at the Warriors - Key take outs;
-Wasn’t too keen ever coming to the Warriors but writing was on the Wall with Walters coming into coach (apparently a few high profile Queensland names mates with Kev didn’t like having him in the club.
- Came to Warriors because wanted to be around family (POS & SOS).
- When he arrived got a much better appreciation as to what the team had to go through over covid than most on the outside had. Said a large chunk of the players were pretty broken over it and just wanted the season over so the could go home.
- Said he really enjoyed his time here and was on the cusp of signing a 4 year extension until “the incident’
- When pushed on what actually happened he was very tight lipped and mentioned he would never reveal it.
He did mention that he didn’t want warriors fans to think he’d dogged them so he did let out a couple of very small tidbits.
What did come out is that “the owner” did something that went against respect and his personal boundaries that meant he could no longer remain with “his team”(the owners).
In all honesty I didn’t get a better impression of Lodge he had the mentality that he worked a few years for not a lot so felt entitled and protective over a big payday.

 

[Jonno13]

I listen to a few podi’s but once in saw Lodge was being interviewed I just couldn’t bring myself to listen to it. Still always a dog in my books.
Thanks for the breakdown

 

[Worried2Death]

Interesting interview on James Grahams podcast.
Touches on his time at the Warriors - Key take outs;
-Wasn’t too keen ever coming to the Warriors but writing was on the Wall with Walters coming into coach (apparently a few high profile Queensland names mates with Kev didn’t like having him in the club.
- Came to Warriors because wanted to be around family (POS & SOS).
- When he arrived got a much better appreciation as to what the team had to go through over covid than most on the outside had. Said a large chunk of the players were pretty broken over it and just wanted the season over so the could go home.
- Said he really enjoyed his time here and was on the cusp of signing a 4 year extension until “the incident’
- When pushed on what actually happened he was very tight lipped and mentioned he would never reveal it.
He did mention that he didn’t want warriors fans to think he’d dogged them so he did let out a couple of very small tidbits.
What did come out is that “the owner” did something that went against respect and his personal boundaries that meant he could no longer remain with “his team”(the owners).
In all honesty I didn’t get a better impression of Lodge he had the mentality that he worked a few years for not a lot so felt entitled and protective over a big payday.

Quite an interesting chat about the mentality of league players in a brutal sport and how it translates off the field, wish James had gone into a bit more depth on that.