Matt Lodge’s golden handshake: Star prop to be paid $700,000 of Warriors’ salary cap

The Warriors have gone into hiding over the bizarre decision to give Matt Lodge a $700,000 golden handshake - a move that could cause severe ramifications for the club next season.

Matt Lodge will receive a massive payout despite walking out on the club mid-season. Picture: NRL Photos

The Warriors have made the bizarre decision to give front-rower Matt Lodge a $700,000 golden handshake despite him walking out mid-season.

The club is now facing a huge backlash from fans following an NRL ruling that the money will be included in their salary cap for the remainder of this season and next year.

Lodge was on around $550,000-a-season at the Warriors before abruptly quitting and being paid an estimated 90 per cent of what was owing on his contract.

It was initially thought he would forfeit his money because it was his own decision to break the contract and not relocate his family to New Zealand.

The money from the Warriors contract, which he signed in July last year, has allowed Lodge to set himself up nicely.

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Property records show the front-rower and his partner Jessica O’Sullivan paid $2.5 million for a house at Bayview on Sydney’s northern beaches in January.

It has now led to speculation the 26-year-old front-rower will link up with Manly.

The house has been rented out since February.

Warriors chief executive Cameron George went ducking for cover and did not return phone calls on Wednesday to explain the highly unusual termination payment.

So we reached out via text message.

Matt Lodge will receive a massive payout despite walking out on the club mid-season. Picture: NRL Photos

DT: “We’re doing a story on Matt Lodge’s hefty payout and wanted to give you an opportunity to comment and explain why he received such a huge termination payment considering it was his decision to walk away.”

George: “Phil, thanks for the opportunity but as always we won’t comment on any settlement or if any was applicable or contract details of any player or staff member.”

DT: “Seems very odd Cameron. I’m told he got a $700k handshake which I presume will be part of your cap for next year.”

There was no further reply.

The payout will mean the Warriors will be forced to play at around $500,000 under the cap next year, according to NRL sources.

Just a week after his release, Lodge made a code switch to rugby union on Tuesday night, playing for Norths Brisbane second grade in a 27-14 loss to Bond.

He played 50 minutes off the bench after paying his registration just hours before the game.

The Warriors have left themselves desperately short for front-rowers following Lodge’s exit and Addin Fonua-Blake being sidelined for an extended period with a foot injury.

The club has lost five of its last six games.

Lodge joined the Warriors last year after being released from a big-money contract at the Brisbane Broncos to ease salary cap pressure.

Inside the Bayview Heights house Matt Lodge bought for $2.5 million in January. Picture: Supplied

Interestingly his negotiations at the Warriors were handled by George to avoid a conflict of interest.

The club’s former recruitment boss, Peter O’Sullivan, is the father of Lodge’s partner Jessica.

Lodge could not be contacted on Wednesday but explained his walkout in a press release last week.

“I couldn’t see my family living in New Zealand for a long-term future,” Lodge said.

“Therefore we decided that the best thing for the club was for us to mutually part ways so they have some clarity.

“I respect the club and especially the boys a lot and hopefully I showed that by the way I trained and played physical and gave my all every game.”

In the same press release George said: “Matt told us a while ago that for professional and personal reasons he couldn’t commit to a long-term future in New Zealand when we return home for next season.

“The opportunity for him to leave now allows us to move forward with our future planning and to develop our younger players.

“We’re grateful to Matt for the contribution he has made since joining us last year and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”