Cowboys fans erupt over signing of controversial NRL forward Matt Lodge

Fans have erupted on social media after an NRL club signed controversial enforcer Matt Lodge, with supporters threatening to switch allegiances over the move.

Matt Lodge assaults a man in New York.

Irate North Queensland Cowboys fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations at the club’s latest controversial signing, but the club has denied a deal has been inked.

In response to the shock move, one fan remarked “this club is actively trying to win the spoon I swear” while another said they’d be switching allegiances to the Perth Bears.

In a statement to the Townsville Bulletin, a club spokesman denied that a deal had been finalised between Lodge and the North Queensland outfit.

“No contract has been signed,” the spokesman said.

“We are in the market for an experienced forward following the news Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame will miss the start of the season.”

Lodge is best known for an infamous drunken rampage through a New York apartment building in October of 2015.

Lodge, then in his early 20s, verbally accosted two women as they exited a cab - telling them it was the “night you will die” before forcing his way into their apartment building.

A bystander, Joseph Cartright who lived near the foyer with his family, intervened but was punched in the face by Lodge, before entering Cartright’s apartment and damaging furniture.

He then attempted to smash down a door which Cartright and his 9-year-old son were cowering behind.

The incident resulted in Lodge - who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour reckless assault charge - being sentenced to 200 hours of community service upon his return to Australia and receiving alcohol abuse and anger management treatment.

Manly prop Matt Lodge carts the ball up. NRL Imagery

He was sacked by the Wests Tigers following the incident.

After a lawsuit from the Cartright family, Lodge was instructed by then NRL CEO Todd Greenberg to pay his victims back if he wanted to play in the NRL again.

A settlement agreement was announced in 2018, clearing the way for Lodge to sign witht he Brisbane Broncos.

It was revealed on Monday the 30-year-old had managed to avoid a move to the Super League after North Queensland threw the forward a one-year lifeline, after he failed to garner interest on the open-market.

He had knocked back a minimum-wage contract from current club the Manly Sea Eagles.

Lodge spent much of the 2025 NRL season sidelined by an ACL injury, but returned for an eight-game stint at the season’s tail-end that is understood to have impressed Coach Todd Payten as he looks to bolster a middle rotation that lacked impact and consistency over the previous year.

Joseph Cartwright and his wife Ruth Fowler speak out about Australian footballer Matt Lodge resuming his football career in Australia, March 1, New York, N.Y. Picture: Stuart Ramson/ News Corp Australia

In the North Queensland Cowboys Passionate Supporters Facebook group, which has over 15k followers, reactions to the announcement - which still hasn’t been officially revealed by the North Queensland club - were also mixed, with one lamenting that the club had become “a halfway house” for the NRL.

Some commenters likened the move to the Cowboys ill-fated signing of outside back Ben Barba, who was sacked before playing a single game for the club in 2019 after a allegations he assaulted his partner.

“Says a lot about the culture of the club if you’d even want a player like him there. Remember when they signed Barba and the backlash that created only for him to be booted before he even laced up his boots?” One commenter, David Kingston, said.

“The cowboys need a whole new approach. From who signs these guys to coach to management. A whole new clean out,” Another commented.

Not all opinions were as downbeat, though, with some saying the forward, who is now signed to his sixth NRL club, would bring “mongrel” to a club that has lacked for up-front firepower.

“I am actually looking forward to having him, he has raw aggression and some mongrel, him and Hess at his best will scare teams. His indiscretions off the field are history.”

Cowboys recruit Reed Mahoney also gave his endorsement to Lodge.

“Lodgey, he’s a great player, a big front rower. I think it was something that the Cows are looking for, and with a few boys missing the start of the season,” Mahoney said.

“I know versing Lodgey, he’s a good player, so he’d be a great addition to our club if he comes.”

Originally published as Cowboys fans erupt over signing of controversial NRL forward Matt Lodge