Wayne Bennett lauds Matt Lodge’s start to NRL season for Broncos

MATT Lodge’s comeback has been met with fierce criticism, but he has delivered on the field for the Broncos, and repaid the faith shown in him by his coach.

Matt Lodge has delivered on the field for the Broncos. Picture: Peter Wallis

WAYNE Bennett has hailed Matt Lodge’s return to the NRL as “remarkable”, but admitted $3 million recruit Jack Bird would need time before he was at his best for the Broncos.

Lodge was one of Brisbane’s best in Friday night’s controversial 9-7 Round 3 golden-point win against his former club Wests Tigers in Sydney.

He racked up 16 runs for 145m and 22 tackles in his first match against the club that sacked him following his New York rampage in 2015.

The 22-year-old’s return to the NRL this season following more than two years out of the game has been met with fierce criticism.

Lodge is yet to pay $1.6 million in compensation to the victims of his rampage in New York and has been embroiled in domestic violence allegations by a former partner.

He has delivered on the field in three appearances for the Broncos, taking his career tally to 15 NRL games, and repaid the faith shown in him by Bennett.

“He is brave, there is no doubt about that,” said Bennett.

Matt Lodge has delivered on the field for the Broncos. Picture: Peter Wallis

“He will only get better with time.

‘‘He is working his way in.

“It is remarkable what he is doing with the amount of pressure he has been under.’’

While Lodge has shone, NSW State of Origin star Bird could be a while away from his best.

Bird, 23, wore Broncos colours for the first time at Campbelltown Stadium in making his return at left centre from a shoulder reconstruction.

He came under fire for his seemingly ballooning weight during the pre-season and made three errors in his Broncos debut.

Bird is expected to be named at left centre for the Easter Sunday derby against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium and Bennett said it would take time for Bird to fire.

“Jack is rusty,” he said.

Jack Bird had a tough night on his Broncos debut.

“He needed to do what he did (on Friday night).

“He had a couple of errors, things that won’t be there in a few weeks’ time, but I am pleased to have him. He will be a really good player for us.”

They have a golden opportunity to go 3-1 to start the season on Sunday and captain Darius Boyd said gritty wins were important early in the year.

“Good teams get away with those results,” Boyd said.

“Sometimes you aren’t playing your best but you find a way to do it and we did it.”

Rising prop Tevita Pangai Jr (hamstring) and winger Corey Oates (hip) are expected to miss the Titans match.

Props George Fai and Sam Tagataese and winger Jonus Pearson are in the mix to face the Titans along with utility Todd Murphy.