Controversial NRL prop Matt Lodge has opened up about why he walked out on the Warriors mid-season with no club to go to.
The 27-year-old mysteriously quit his contract amid reports he had fallen out with Warriors owner Mark Robinson in May.
His exit also coincided with news the Warriors would return to New Zealand for the first time in almost three years, having been based on Australia’s east coast during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Lodge joined the club midway through the 2021 NRL season, being cut loose by the Broncos before his contract expired.
His lifeline at the Warriors was offered by the club’s former recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan, who is also Lodge’s father-in-law. Lodge’s brother-in-law, Sean O’Sullivan, was also playing with the Warriors at the time.
Soon after the prop’s arrival, Peter O’Sullivan left the Warriors to work for the Dolphins, while Sean O’Sullivan signed with the Panthers.
“Obviously when I signed there I got convinced… it’s no secret, from my father-in-law. They were trying to get me for a couple of years, and things weren’t great at the Broncos,” Lodge told media on Monday.
“So when I signed there I had a father-in-law and a brother (in law) there, and within six weeks I think they were both gone.
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“It doesn’t take a genius to realise that changes the dynamic of taking my family over there (to New Zealand), there was no support.
“But I was pretty close to re-signing there. They put a big… a good deal on the table to stay for a long period of time, but there was some things outside of footy that were more important to me.
“I’m pretty settled and content with how things have played out.”
While Lodge was jobless for a number of weeks, he has now signed with the Roosters for the remainder of this season.
He sat down with coach Trent Robinson for an hour-and-a-half, and met with club owner Nick Politis before the two parties agreed to the marriage.
“I probably need (the Roosters) at this point in my career. I’ve had an OK career but haven’t hit the heights I wanted to yet,” Lodge said from Roosters HQ.
“I’ve got a lot of trust in what Trent had to say, and the organisation to help me become a better footballer. I think they can do a lot for me and that’s what this decision was based on.”
The Roosters have only signed Lodge for the remainder of this season and they hope he can aid their run to finals.
As far as 2023 and beyond go, Lodge has no idea where he will be playing football.
“I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t want a future here. I’m really focused on this year,” he said.
“There’s a lot of noise about me coming here, but the most important thing is I go out there and do a job for them.
“I’m pretty focused on contributing this year to the team, and wherever that takes me, that’s what it is. I haven’t thought about next year.”
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