NRL 2025: Matt Lodge praises NRL’s PNG expansion plans, puts hand up for new team

Matt Lodge has sung the praises of PNG, saying that rather than finding life on the rugby league mad nation difficult, it was the return to Australia that was a reality check.

Former Broncos enforcer Matt Lodge has backed the NRL’s expansion plans to Papua New Guinea and says tax cuts would be a major incentive for the code’s biggest stars.

One of rugby league’s most travelled players, five-club front-row warhorse Lodge dismissed safety fears for Australians representing a 19th team from Papua New Guinea.

As revealed by this masthead, the ARL Commission has reached an in-principle agreement for PNG to enter the NRL in 2028, backed by $600 million in Federal government funding.

As part of the landmark deal, the PNG government has rubber-stamped tax concessions for Australian players and staff who will move overseas to Port Moresby to be pioneers for the 19th franchise.

The NRL is currently in bilateral talks with the PNG and Australian governments for the construction of a high-security living compound in Port Moresby to allay safety fears for prospective recruits.

But Lodge played down security concerns and says scores of NRL players would relish being potentially paid tax-free ‘danger money’ to lead a Papua New Guinea team into the NRL.

Matt Lodge has backed the NRL’s expansion plans for Papua New Guinea. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I think PNG is going to be great for the game,” said Lodge, who turns 30 next May.

“You wouldn’t want to disappoint the fans – you would run through a brick wall for them.

“Since I was playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins against PNG in the Queensland Cup, I have admired their country’s passion for rugby league.

“I love how the whole country gets behind rugby league. It’s their national sport and I think a rugby league team is going to succeed there.

“To be honest, I think it can be one of the great life experiences for a rugby league player and if they get the licence, a PNG team can become a powerhouse because they have a whole nation behind them.

“I’m sure there will be some teething issues and we do have a different culture, but they have the resources and the government support to make it happen.

“I see no reason why I wouldn’t consider playing for PNG if I’m fit and still playing.

“There will be nowhere else in the game that would offer experiences like PNG.”

Lodge admits there may be some teething issues, but believes PNG expansion will be great for the game. Picture: NRL Images

Under a tax-free PNG deal, an NRL superstar such as Penrith champion Nathan Cleary, Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes or Broncos fullback Reece Walsh could pocket an extra $3-5 million.

Cleary’s current salary at Penrith is $1.3 million, but he pays a staggering $581,000 in tax.

The parties have yet to finalise whether the deal will be completely tax free, but even a reduced tax rate of 10 to 15 per cent would represent a huge financial benefit for NRL players, most of whom are taxed at 45 per cent.

“The tax breaks are a massive incentive and it’s got to happen for a team to work,” Lodge said.

“If you break down the numbers, a player on $1 million gets taxed about half, so they pocket around $500,000 once taxes and agent’s fees are taken out.

“But if you could go to PNG, it puts a lot of cash in your bank account.

“I think a lot of NRL players would go there. They are going to need some experienced Australian players and moving overseas requires a fair bit of sacrifice.

“There will be some things to work out with families and kids of NRL players. But if they are going to build a compound or estate for the players, I would have no issue moving over there.

“I believe we have the best country in the world in Australia so there has to be some reward to giving up your lifestyle to represent PNG.”

A veteran of 121 first-grade games, Lodge has made numerous trips to the Pacific nation with the Dolphins and Broncos.

Papua New Guinea has the second worst crime rate in the world, but Lodge is confident players, staff and their families would be safe living in a state-of-the-art ‘NRL mini city’.

“I have been over there a number of times and I have never felt unsafe,” he said.

“If anything, it’s the opposite.

“As an NRL player, I don’t believe there is a major risk. They idolise rugby league. You would get mobbed by fans just going down to the shops to buy a toothbrush.

“When I went over there, fans knew my name and would ask me for rugby league gear.

“Going over there with the Broncos, we were treated like rock stars. Coming back to Australia was a bit of a reality check because you would get swarmed over there.

“Even ‘Alfie’ Langer (Broncos halfback legend) … the people over there treated him like a God.

“It can be overwhelming how passionate they are and how happy and excited they are to see players.

“Whether that fades when they have a full-time NRL team, I don’t know, but I don’t think many players would complain about having that support.

“You will never have an empty stadium there.

“It will be a full house every game … I would have no issue playing for PNG, they deserve a team.”