Matthew 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).

For the British diplomat, see Matthew Lodge (diplomat).
Matthew Lodge
Personal information
Born (1995-05-31) 31 May 1995
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight117 kg (18 st 6 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2014–15 Wests Tigers 12 0 0 0 0
2018–21 Brisbane Broncos 65 4 0 0 16
2021–22 New Zealand Warriors 14 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Sydney Roosters 18 2 0 0 8
2023– Manly Sea Eagles 3 0 0 0 0
Total 112 6 0 0 24
Source: [1]
As of 3 August 2023

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

Background

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.

Playing career

Early career

He played for Penrith's NYC team in 2012.[2]

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.

Lodge playing for the Storm-Sharks in 2013

Wests Tigers

In June 2014, Lodge joined the Wests Tigers mid-season for the remainder of the season,[3] 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.[4] 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."[5] Later in the year, he was chosen to participate in the NSW under-20s pathway camp.[6]

On 19 October 2015, Lodge was sacked by the Tigers after being arrested in New York City.[7] He was due back in court for sentencing in December after entering a guilty plea.[8]

Brisbane Broncos

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.[9]

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.[10][11][12]

On 19 February 2020, Lodge suffered an ACL injury during pre-season training for Brisbane and was ruled out for an extended period.[13]

Lodge only featured in six games for Brisbane in the 2020 NRL season as the club finished last on the table.[14]

New Zealand Warriors

Lodge agreed a midseason switch from Brisbane to the Warriors during the 2021 NRL season.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

Sydney Roosters

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.[18][19] 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.[20] On 19 June, it was reported that Lodge had been granted an immediate release from his Sydney Roosters contract.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

It was announced on 10 July 2023 that Lodge joined the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on a train and trial deal.[21] 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.[22] On 5 August 2023, it was announced Lodge would miss approximately nine months with an ACL injury.[23]

Representative career

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.[24][25][26]

On 2 May 2015, Lodge played for the Junior Kangaroos against Junior Kiwis.[27]

Statistics

*stats correct as of round 12 2023[28]

Year Team Games Tries Pts
2014 Wests Tigers 4
2015 8
2018 Brisbane Broncos 25 3 12
2019 22 1 4
2020 6
2021 12
2021 New Zealand Warriors 6
2022 8
2022 Sydney Roosters 9 2 8
2023 9
2023 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 3
Totals 112 6 24

Assault charge and lawsuit in New York and NRL controversy

On 16 October 2015, Lodge was arrested and charged with assault after he threatened two German tourists, chased them into a New York apartment building, and attacked a man who attempted to help. He proceeded to break into and smash furniture in the man's apartment, including punching a wall through the bathroom door where a nine-year-old boy was hiding, before being stopped by police.[29][30] He was initially charged with felony burglary causing injury, but it was reduced to a misdemeanor charge of reckless assault as part of a plea deal. The victims then filed a civil lawsuit against Lodge for US$2 million in July 2016. In December 2016, Lodge avoided jail time, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, quit drinking, and receive alcohol abuse and anger treatment.[31][32] Lodge signed a 1-year contract worth an estimated AU$85,000 with Brisbane Broncos for the 2018 National Rugby League season. The NRL were scrutinised for supporting Lodge and allowing the deal to happen while the victims have not been legally compensated.[30]

References
  1. Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Matt Lodge - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  2. "Matt Lodge". Rleague.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  3. "Wests Tigers sign Matthew Lodge". Weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  4. "Late Changes: NRL Round 17". Weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  5. David Hall & Nathan Ryan (7 November 2014). "NRL's future stars: 20 players from the U20s with the potential to make it big — Part 1". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  6. Proszenko, Adrian (29 November 2014). "State of Origin a family affair for NSW as Jackson Hastings and Liam Coleman get Blues camp call". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  7. "Tigers sack Lodge after US arrest | NRL". Zero Tackle. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
  8. Posted: 8 July 2016 by AAP. "Matt Lodge Victims Testify In New York Court | NRL". Triple M. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  9. "Matt Lodge signs with Broncos - Zero Tackle". 5 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  10. "Parramatta Eels eliminate Brisbane Broncos from the NRL Finals with a thumping 58-0 win". ABC.
  11. "Fuming Seibold fires off at players, promises review of roster after 'embarrassing' loss". Fox Sports.
  12. "Seibold: 'Top to bottom' review needed as Brisbane search for answers". NRL.
  13. "Lodge feeling 'lucky' after scans reveal only partial ACL tear". www.nrl.com.
  14. "Brisbane get wooden spoon as North Queensland finish on a high". www.nrl.com.
  15. Broncos pay Lodge's way to Warriors as Capewell commits
  16. "Gold Coast Titans beat Warriors 44-0 to clinch NRL finals berth, Canterbury defeats Wests Tigers 38-0". www.abc.net.au.
  17. "'Looks like guilt money from the club': Warriors blasted over Lodge's $700k handshake". www.foxsports.com.au.
  18. Molyneux, Mark (4 July 2022). "Matt Lodge signs short-term deal with the Sydney Roosters". The Sporting News. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  19. Gabor, Martin (4 July 2022). "Matt Lodge brushes off 'continuous' criticism, explains why he and Roosters are 'perfect match'". foxsports.com.au. News Corporation Australia. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  20. "Carnage as Knights lose FOUR; Tigers' double blow in brutal clash: NRL Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au.
  21. "Wantaway Roosters enforcer granted immediate release as Gus' Dogs circle". www.foxsports.com.au.
  22. "Manly survive Sharks bid for greatest NRL comeback". www.smh.com.au.
  23. "Manly prop set for NRL contract lifeline despite nine month injury lay-off". www.foxsports.com.au.
  24. "Wests Tigers' Mitchell Moses banned for homophobic jibe". The Guardian. May 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  25. "Matt Lodge caught with c*** written on his taped wrist while representing NSW against QLD in U20s State of Origin match". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  26. Steve Orme. "Matt Lodge banned for offensive strapping". Sportal.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  27. "Representative Round team lists". NRL.com. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
  28. https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/roosters/matthew-lodge/
  29. Michael Atkin (3 March 2018). "Matthew Lodge attack victims speak out as CCTV footage emerges of NRL player's drunken assault". ABC.
  30. Rachel Olding. "'Infuriating': New York family terrorised by Broncos' Matt Lodge speak". Sydney Morning Herald.
  31. "Matthew Lodge assault charge". 9News. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  32. "Former West Tigers' prop Matthew Lodge's New York victims 'disappointed' he avoids jail". The Sydney Morning Herald. 19 December 2016.
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