Broncos prop Matt Lodge opens up about overcoming his past
MATT Lodge accepts he will never be liked by everyone. But that is not going to stop the 23-year-old Brisbane Broncos prop from doing all he can to forge a bright future.
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MATT Lodge accepts he will never be liked by everyone.
The video footage and victim accounts of his New York rampage in 2015 will follow him forever.
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No matter the NRL player he becomes, Lodge’s past will never be forgotten.
That is just a fact of life now for the 23-year-old Brisbane Broncos prop, but it is not going to stop Lodge from doing all he can to forge a bright future.
Six months ago, Lodge was the most despised figure in the NRL.
On the eve of the season kicking off, his impending return to the NRL became reality.
The Broncos had bullishly, and stupidly, tried to usher Lodge back into the NRL with little regard for the fans’ and public’s feelings.
It backfired spectacularly when the victims of his New York home invasion went public, demanding compensation from a professional athlete playing in a $1 billion sport.
Lodge was booed in his first game for the Broncos against St George Illawarra at Kogarah. He was booed in the next game, then the one after that. But as the weeks wore on, the boos became quieter
At Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, Lodge will face the Roosters in his 23rd game for the Broncos, having not missed a match in 2018.
The public sentiment towards Lodge has slowly swung for two reasons — his behaviour since joining the Broncos and consistent performances on the field.
But he knows he will never win over everyone, no matter the career he potentially forges over the next decade.
“There are some people you won’t win back,” Lodge told The Courier-Mail.
“I’m happy people are coming around and they can see from my story that I can do some good things.
“I’ve had a lot of quality messages and people speaking to me about how it’s inspired them, which helps me.
“I like helping kids that are a bit off the rails and people who have had problems in the past.
“I get more out of that. I like doing those kind of things.
“I am proud, but at the same time I stuffed things up myself. I knew I needed to make amends for it and turn it around.
“It’s something that had to be done. I’m happy that I’m doing that.”
Lodge is at the Broncos because of two people — coach Wayne Bennett and recruitment chief Peter Nolan.
Bennett was prepared to take a punt on Lodge and Nolan was the man who made it happen, guiding his return to the NRL through Intrust Super Cup club Redcliffe last year.
“Wayne put his reputation on the line to have me here,” Lodge said.
“A lot of people didn’t do that. I probably wouldn’t be playing if it wasn’t for someone that had the guts to stand up and give me another chance.
“Pete Nolan had a lot to do with me coming here. We are pretty close. He did a lot of work to get me to the Broncos and doesn’t get the accolades.
“I love playing under Wayne. He is a good coach for me and the only one in the comp that put their hand up to take me back. I’ll always owe him for that.”
Bennett has seen it all in his 810-game coaching career, but scoffs at suggestions he risked his reputation on Lodge.
“Matt’s being too hard on himself, “ Bennett said.
“He wasn’t a risk. He was a risk a few years ago but he’s not a risk now.
“(The public sentiment has changed) because he’s come out every week and tried his heart out. That’s what the fans want.
“You’ve got to understand the fans have all got their own children. They see what their kids do.
“We all know what Matt did, the price he paid, but he has got on with his life.
“The fans are buying into that because he’s turned up every week and done his best and his behaviour has been impeccable.”
Lodge has reached an agreement to compensate the victims of his New York night of terror and is finalising a two-year extension to remain at the Broncos until at least 2020.
He wants Bennett to remain as Broncos coach but knows that is not certain given the current climate at the club.
Lodge has never played an NRL finals game since debuting in 2014 and is hoping his first play-offs appearance can be at Suncorp Stadium in front of the Broncos faithful.
To do that, the Broncos must upset the Roosters then beat Manly in Sunday week’s final game of the regular season.
“The Broncos fans and members have been really good to me,” Lodge said.
“I love playing at home because they have turned around and are my biggest supporters now.
“(I was booed) a fair while ago but it doesn’t bother me because at the end of the day I’m still out there playing.
“I love playing footy. Playing is not the hard bit for me. I don’t really take notice of the outside noise when I’m on the field, which is a good thing for me.
“I’ve sat back the last few years and watched a few finals series and dreamt of being out there. If we get there it’s going to be time to have a real dig.”
Originally published as Broncos prop Matt Lodge opens up about overcoming his past