NRL season 2015: How exciting young forward Matt Lodge turned a controversy into a career move

THIS is how a foul four letter word written on Matt Lodge’s wrist tape in a 20s Origin match, led the exciting forward to the Wests Tigers.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Matt Lodge of NSW leaves the field of play after being sent off during the U20's State of Origin match between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at Sportingbet Stadium on May 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

YOU probably first heard the name Matt Lodge when the young prop made a snap decision to scribble a foul four letter word on his wrist tape during the Under 20s State of Origin game last year.

While the 19-year-old admits he regrets the incident, had he not scribbled down that word, he may not have found his way to the Wests Tigers.

“(If I could have my time over) I wouldn’t have written it,” Lodge said of the expletive.

“I didn’t expect it to get seen. The coaches wanted us to have a mentality and I shouldn’t have written it and just kept it in my head. I was just fired up and passionate.”

It was his raw passion which attracted the Tigers to the young star who during the U20s New South Wales Origin camp started contemplating his future.

Starting his career as a Penrith junior, Lodge made his way through the lower grades before making the big decision to move to Melbourne to play Holden Cup. But when home sickness kicked in, he was on the lookout for a new club.

“I’ve played for a couple of years (of 20s Origin) and that’s where I met a couple of the Tigers boys which has helped coming over here,” he revealed.

“When I was deciding a couple of them knew and were into me a bit.”

The prop joined the Tigers mid last year, signing a three and a half year deal.

In a matter of weeks Lodge made his NRL debut, starting three of his four games.

“I was coming off contract for (2015) and I was a bit home sick and wanted to come back to Sydney and was looking around to come back at the end of the year,” he said.

“After the Origin I was trying to lock something in for the following year and Melbourne were aware of that and weren’t the happiest about it so I ended up signing (with the Tigers) mid-season because I was kind of going to waste away down there.

“The Tigers were keen to give me an opportunity to play some first grade and it was something I was keen to do.”

During his Melbourne tenure, Lodge interned in the Storm offices as part of the NRL’s no work, no play scheme to be eligible for the 20s competition.

His jobs were far from enjoyable but all part of paying his dues.

“I was just helping around at the club, setting up training and packing up training so I could train with the NRL squad,” he recalls.

“It was different. I wasn’t the biggest fan of it but I got through it. I was washing the protein shakers and packing up the gear and running water but it did help me appreciate it when I went full-time.”

With a focus on defence this year, Lodge says he is enjoying learning from senior players like Robbie Farah, Keith Galloway and Aaron Woods.

His other objective is to harness his aggression.

With a fire like that of Anthony Watmough and Adam Docker, Lodge admits he needs to work on controlling himself this season.

“I need to keep a bit more composed and make sure I’m consistent each week,” he said.

“I’m just focusing on turning things around for the Tigers and trying to create something with the group of boys we have. Hopefully we all stick together and start something for the future.”

Originally published as NRL season 2015: How exciting young forward Matt Lodge turned a controversy into a career move