Brisbane Broncos defend decision to hand Matt Lodge an NRL lifeline

BRISBANE boss Paul White has defended the club’s pursuit of Matt Lodge as the Broncos come under fire for issuing the controversial prop an NRL lifeline.

Dolphins' Matt Lodge in action between the Redcliffe Dolphins and the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup Preliminary final at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe, Brisbane, 17th September 2017. (AAP Photo/Josh Woning)

BRISBANE boss Paul White has defended the club’s pursuit of Matt Lodge as the Broncos come under fire for issuing the controversial prop an NRL lifeline.

The Courier-Mail’s exclusive report that Lodge will return to the NRL next season has triggered a public backlash with many rugby league fans furious at the NRL integrity unit’s decision to clear the 22-year-old.

After months of uncertainty surrounding Lodge’s future in the code, the 116kg enforcer will officially launch his Broncos career on Thursday when he attends the first day of Brisbane’s pre-season.

Lodge has yet to formally ink his one-year, $85,000 deal, but the Broncos have reserved a spot for him in their 30-man roster and have been told by the NRL his contract will be registered.

There is a sentiment Lodge should never be allowed to play NRL again following his infamous New York rampage in 2015, but Broncos CEO White believes the boom front-rower has earned a second chance.

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Matt Lodge has been given an NRL lifeline by the Broncos.

Lodge has not touched alcohol since being arrested by American authorities and has spent the past year warning aspiring NRL stars about the perils of misbehaving off the field.

“Our job will be to support Matt in every endeavour,” White said.

“The off-field work Matt has done has given us some confidence about what he could do for our club.

“If you are happy off the field, you are a good chance of performing on the field.”

In July, Lodge advised White and the Broncos he was returning to Sydney to join the workforce to support his heavily pregnant partner, who is due to give birth next month.

At the time, Lodge was rocked by a $1.6 million damages bill from the US courts. The prop has sought legal assistance and while the Broncos insist it is a private matter for Lodge to sort out, White is adamant playing NRL can help the forward rebuild his life.

“I was devastated when Matt told us he was going back to Sydney because I had seen the work he had done off the field,” he said.

Matt Lodge has been given an NRL lifeline by the Broncos.

“He had spoken to our under-20s about his own life story. He hasn’t drunk alcohol for two years and he is studying at university, so his behaviour here (at feeder-club Redcliffe) has been exemplary.”

Lodge’s signing will transform Brisbane’s pack. He will be the squad’s biggest player and could be catapulted into the starting side for Brisbane’s season-opener against the Dragons.

“Matt is highly skilful,” White said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prop with his ball skills. He is excited and ready to go.”