NRL transfer news 2023: Matt Lodge will have to take a big pay cut at new club

Matt Lodge is on the lookout for a new club, and while his final destination is uncertain, what is clear is that he will be taking a significant pay cut.

Matt Lodge has been a powerhouse up front for the Roosters. NRL Imagery

Unwanted Sydney Rooster Matt Lodge has the perfect opportunity to put himself in the shop window for rival NRL clubs when he locks horns with the Panthers’ powerhouse pack in Saturday night’s blockbuster at Allianz Stadium.

But while Lodge told the media this week that he has other clubs interested in him for next year, what can’t be sugar-coated is that polarising prop is also fast running out of clubs he hasn’t already played at.

The Roosters are in fact Lodge’s sixth club so far, after previous stints at the Panthers, Storm, Tigers, Broncos and Warriors.

Matt Lodge spent four seasons at the Broncos. Credit: NRL Images.

And it’s fair to say Lodge hasn’t left all on the best of terms.

Lodge is also facing the brutal reality of potentially copping the biggest wage cut of any off contract player with his monster salary on the chopping block.

It defies belief that Lodge came in at 13th overall on our NRL Rich List in 2022 on a whopping $900,000, as the third highest paid front rower in the game.

Even though the Roosters got Lodge on a cut-price deal, with the Warriors and Broncos still paying a large portion of his salary, it was still ridiculous money for a player who in 2023 is averaging 33 minutes a game for 10.4 runs and 80 metres.

Lodge reportedly received more than $1m in a payout when he first left the Broncos amid speculation he was seen as a destabilising character, before pocketing $700,000 from the Warriors in mysterious circumstances.

Matt Lodge made his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers. Credit: NRL Images.

The only props on bigger money on our Rich List last year were former Storm captain Jesse Bromwich ($1.05m) and the Bulldogs’ Tevita Pangai ($925,000).

To put it in further perspective, his Roosters teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was reportedly on $700,000, while Panthers enforcer James Fisher-Harris was on $750,000.

Other top earners among the big men included Addin Fonau-Blake ($850,000), Payne Haas ($748,000) and Joe Tapine ($750,000).

There’s no doubt at the right price Lodge would be a handy pick up, and he won’t get a better opportunity to sell himself than in the huge clash against the Panthers who have had the wood on the Roosters in recent years.

Former Warriors prop Matt Lodge. NRL Imagery

Lodge is also up against some pretty handy competition on the open market with a stack of other front rowers coming off contract this year including the Cowboys’ Jordan McLean, giant Eel Wiremu Greig, Bronco Martin Taupau and the Bulldogs’ Luke Thompson.

Lodge had been in talks for an extension at the Roosters but that fell through with the Chooks giving Waerea-Hargreaves an extension while signing Panthers tearaway Spencer Leniu.

It’s also no secret Roosters supremo Nick Politis had a fallout with Lodge’s agent Isaac Moses over the drama surrounding Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s shock move to rugby.

OFF-CONTRACT PROPS

Eddie Blacker (Panthers)

Morgan Boyle (Sea Eagles)

Wiremu Greig (Eels)

Samuel Hughes (Bulldogs)

Liam Knight (Rabbitohs)

Jordan McLean (Cowboys)

James Tamou (Cowboys)

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Cowboys)

Martin Taupau (Broncos)

Luke Thompson (Bulldogs)

Aaron Woods (Sea Eagles)

LODGE CONFIDENT HE’LL FIND A HOME

Sydney Roosters prop Matt Lodge is resigned to being squeezed out of the Bondi club but has backed himself to land a deal with a rival outfit.

Lodge isn’t the only Roosters forward looking to secure his future with new recruit Nathan Brown eager to extend his time with the Tricolours beyond this season.

But for Lodge, the re-signing of veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on a one-year extension and the recruitment of Penrith’s Spencer Leniu from season 2024 has forced him to look for another home. It’s believed Leniu’s deal is worth around $500,000 per season with the Panthers prop viewed as a long term replacement for Waerea-Hargreaves.

“I’m not too sure, I don’t think (i’ll be staying). I’ll probably be heading on at this point,” Lodge said.

Matt Lodge will likely be squeezed out of the Roosters. NRL Imagery

“Jared has decided to play on. He deserves that. He has been a warrior for a long time. I knew that when I came here. So I’m happy to play my role here whether it’s until the end of the year or longer. I’ve enjoyed my time, and am still enjoying my time here so it’s good.”

The Roosters signed Lodge midway through season 2022 after his exit for the New Zealand Warriors on a train-and-trial deal.

The 28-year old was upgraded to a top 30 contract earlier this year on a reduced deal. Lodge revealed there had been discussions to stay at the club beyond 2023.

Lodge has been linked to the Manly Sea Eagles, where he and coach Anthony Seibold are managed by Isaac Moses.

Nathan Brown is keen to expend his stay at the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

“I did say this year, but obviously on a reduced (deal). But I can’t do that forever. I probably was under the assumption I was going to stay longer, we spoke about that but the situation changed,” Lodge said.

Lodge was confident of picking up a new deal with an NRL club.

“I’m sweet, there’ll be options. I’m not retiring,” Lodge said.

Former Parramatta enforcer Brown was released from the final year of his deal in March to join the Roosters for the remainder of the season.

Brown, who will line-up for his third game in the Tricolours this weekend against Penrith, says he has found a home in Bondi after struggling to keep a spot in coach Brad Arthur’s 17.

“100 per cent. I would love to continue my career here,” Brown said.

“It has been great so far. I’m really loving it. There has been no discussion so far but I just want to play consistent footy for the club and leave that stuff to my manager.”

In team news, winger Daniel Tupou, who has also signed a one-year extension, is firming to return this Saturday after suffering a hamstring injury against the St George Illawarra in round eight.

Playmaker Sam Walker is scheduled to return from a knee injury in round 16.

BRONCOS BEEF-UP THEIR ENGINE ROOM

– Robert Craddock and Peter Badel

The Broncos have signed their replacement forward for Tom Flegler and ramped up plans to retain the one man who cannot be replaced – Payne Haas.

The Broncos will confirm on Monday the speculated two year deal for Roosters prop Fletcher Baker to cover for the loss of Dolphins’-bound Tom Flegler has been signed.

Hulking 23-year-old prop Baker received enormous interest from rival clubs and the Roosters were keen to keep him but a salary cap mushrooming like a nuclear explosion made it impossible.

Baker will join emerging front-rowers Xavier Williams, Ben te Kura and Logan Bayliss in vying for first grade time next season.

“Fletcher will be a welcome addition to our squad,’’ coach Kevin Walters said.

“He is a big frame with plenty of talent and has had a few seasons at NRL level so he knows what it takes to succeed.

“We have got some really good young middle forwards coming through and he will add to the strength we have in that position.’’

Roosters prop Fletcher Baker will join the Broncos. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Broncos pulling power in the market has increased on the back of an excellent winter and club chief executive Dave Donaghy spoke on Monday of the club’s pride in passing 40,000 members and a desire to be the first club to reach 50,000.

Donaghy conceded the presence of the high achieving Dolphins had driven Brisbane to new heights.

“It’s certainly sharpened our focus internally,’’ Donaghy said. “One thing I have been pushing in the Broncos is just to focus on us. If we do things right we know things will work themselves out.’’

While Baker is expected to be a useful recruit, the Broncos are desperate to retain metre-making marvel Haas, whose signature will become one of the most sought after in the game if the Broncos cannot tie him to a contract extension by November.

The Broncos are ramping up their campaign to retain Payne Haas.

“I feel confident we have a program here that Payne will want to be a part of,’’ said Donaghy, confirming there had been preliminary discussions about a new deal.

Haas will earn $1 million a season-plus wherever he goes but Brisbane feel their chances of him staying have increased as they have the chance to fulfil his stated playing goal to play with a club which can win a title.

Donaghy also confirmed the club had started discussions with master playmaker Adam Reynolds to stay at the club beyond his three-year contract which expires at the end of next year.

“I have had a very preliminary discussion with Adam’s agent. He had been a wonderful addition to our club. He has been the type of player we knew we needed so we went out and got him.

“He has fitted in like he has always been here but he has only played 33 games for the Broncos and I feel every game he is playing he is getting better.’’

ENGLISH GIANTS WEIGH UP BIG MONEY OFFER FOR LUKE BROOKS

– Dean Richie

English giants Leeds are considering trying to poach Luke Brooks from the NRL.

Well-placed sources in Super League claim the Rhinos are contemplating whether to chase the much-maligned Wests Tigers halfback, off contract after this season.

Leeds field two former NRL halves – Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer, who represented Canberra in the 2019 NRL grand final.

Austin and Sezer are also off contract after this season and it appears Leeds may opt to retain just one, not both.

That would free-up money to have a possible crack at Brooks.

Brooks’ form in recent weeks has been sensational, the number seven running amok in a vastly-improved Wests Tigers side.

Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens has said he wants to retain Brooks but no offer had been lodged as of last week.

Super Leagues side Leeds Rhinos could look to poach Luke Brooks from the Wests Tigers. Picture: Getty Images.

At age 28, Brooks has told friends his preference would be to remain in the NRL.

But those close to Brooks are aware of Leeds’ interest and want to wait and see if an offer arrives from England.

Previous massive-money offers from England have dried up in recent years but Brooks could and would demand a fat contract to pack up and leave Australia.

Sezer is 31 years old, Austin aged 32. Both may look at trying to secure a final term in Australia before retiring.

Based on his current form, Brooks may well attract substantial interest from rival clubs seeking a halfback and playmaker.

The Rhinos have former NRL stars Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer off-contract and could opt to retain just one of them. Picture: Kym Smith.

Late last month, Sheens confirmed he would be lodging an offer with Brooks.

“I’ve spoken to his agent and the club has spoken to his agent. We will be making him an offer and I hope it’s going to be enough,” Sheens said.

“Not only the offer but also ‘Brooksy’s’ attitude of playing here, that’s important as well … and it wouldn’t be for just a year.

“I’ve always had my eye on keeping ‘Brooksy’, I don’t care what external people have said. I’m keen to keep him happy and keep him here.”

By re-signing, Brooks would likely end his career as a one-club player.

Leeds is currently running eighth in England through six wins from 14 games.

Brooks has posted five try assists this season.

Originally published as NRL transfer news 2023: Matt Lodge will have to take a big pay cut at new club