Matt Lodge vows to stick with Brisbane despite interest from former club Penrith
HE has been a maligned figure since his return to the NRL yet Matt Lodge has no shortage of admirers in the game — but even former mentor Phil Gould can’t tempt the Broncos prop away from Brisbane.
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NOT even the pulling power of Phil Gould could lure Matt Lodge from Brisbane after the controversial prop declared he would not be leaving the Broncos.
Lodge will confront former club Penrith for the first time in Broncos colours at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
The 23-year-old came through Penrith’s junior grades before making his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers in 2014.
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Lodge was sacked by the Tigers following his infamous New York rampage in 2015 and spent more than two years in the NRL wilderness before resurrecting his career at the Broncos this season.
A prodigious talent, the 121kg Lodge has attracted interest from rival clubs following his impressive return to the NRL.
He met with Penrith supremo Gould late last year, who revealed Lodge indicated he may one day like to return to the Panthers.
However, that will not be in 2019 after the off-contract Lodge yesterday declared he would be remaining at Red Hill.
“(Gould) has always been good to me,” Lodge said.
“He’s been in touch since I left. I didn’t get too much out of it (discussion) because I’m at the Broncos and I’m going to stay here.
“It’s good to have his support and he’s always supported me. I’m respectful of him for that.
“Hopefully I can get something (contract extension) sorted out soon. I don’t really deal with it, I’m trying to play good footy every week.
“We need to pick up our game and make a charge to the finals.”
Lodge was the NRL’s villain at the start of the season as fans revolted against his return.
But his performances have slowly turned the tide. Lodge has played all 17 games for the Broncos this season and is averaging 118m and 20 tackles.
In an exclusive The Courier-Mail online poll, 61 per cent of respondents were in favour of the Broncos re-signing Lodge.
“It’s an awesome club,” Lodge said. “I haven’t looked at going anywhere or doing anything contract-wise.
“They’ve been good to me. I’m returning the favour.
“They gave me the opportunity and hopefully I’m playing well and paying it back.
“I’ve still got a lot to work on. I was out for a long time. There are a lot of things in my game that need improving.”
Lodge is hoping to reunite with explosive forward Tevita Pangai Jr against the Panthers as he pushes to return from a hamstring injury.
The youngsters have formed an impressive combination this season and Pangai Jr said he had leaned on Lodge.
“It’s been important for me,” Pangai Jr said.
“He’s made a few mistakes and has grown since then. I’m happy with the person he has become today.”
NSW Origin centre James Roberts will return from an Achilles complaint against the Panthers.
Originally published as Matt Lodge vows to stick with Brisbane despite interest from former club Penrith