Broncos transfers: John Asiata tipped to join Brisbane, Matt Lodge free to leave

The Broncos are set secure one of the NRL’s most versatile forwards as Kevin Walters reveals how his pack will look in 2021.

The Broncos are keen to move on Matt Lodge and replace him with the more versatile John Asiata. Picture: Annette Dew

Kevin Walters’ shake-up of Brisbane’s roster is in overdrive with John Asiata poised to become a Bronco as controversial prop Matt Lodge fights to save his career at Red Hill.

The Sunday Mail can reveal Asiata is on the verge of inking a deal with the Broncos, with Joe Ofahengaue’s impending departure to the Wests Tigers freeing-up funds for Brisbane to secure the Cowboys premiership winner.

Asiata’s management will ramp-up talks with the Broncos on Monday.

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The 27-year-old has interest from seven clubs, including NRL sides Cronulla, Penrith and the Bulldogs and English Super League outfits Leeds, Hull, Huddersfield and Warrington, but his preference is to play under Walters at the Broncos.

Asiata is hopeful of finalising the deal this week in a move that would bring some ball-playing creativity to a Broncos pack undergoing reform following the release of Ofahengaue, David Fifita’s loss to the Titans and Lodge’s lingering uncertainty.

John Asiata is one of the most versatile forwards in the NRL. Picture: Alix Sweeney

It is understood Walters does not see Lodge in his long-term plans and, like the Ofahengaue situation, is prepared to broker an immediate release if a rival NRL club is amenable to a subsidised deal.

Offloading Lodge, though, is problematic. The 25-year-old only signed a three-year extension last year worth around $650,000 a season. He also has a further two-year option in his favour, meaning he is effectively contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2024.

But with the Warriors circling Lodge, armed with a lucrative multimillion-dollar deal, there are major doubts as to whether the NSW Origin hopeful will be at Red Hill for the premiership kick-off in 2021.

Lodge has links to the New Zealand club via Warriors recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan, who is the father of the prop’s long-term partner Jessica.

Matt Lodge appeared to struggle with the pace of the game in 2020. Picture: Annette Dew

Walters has no personal issue with Lodge and is happy to honour his deal at the Broncos, but there are concerns whether his monstrous 118kg frame and leg speed can handle the new style of rugby league under the six-again rule.

Lodge struggled with the pace of the game this year, although he was not helped by two serious knee injuries which restricted him to just six games in Brisbane’s wooden-spoon finish.

Walters was cryptic when asked if Lodge will be in his plans next year, saying: “At this point in time, he will be at the Broncos.”

Should the Warriors formalise a lucrative offer to Lodge, and be prepared to thrash out a subsidy with the Broncos, Walters would grant Lodge an immediate release.

In the absence of Ofahengaue and Fifita, the Broncos are eyeing off Asiata, who would challenge incumbent lock Pat Carrigan for the No. 13 jumper next season.

Kevin Walters has hinted at how he sees the Brisbane pack lining up in 2021. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The clever Asiata tallied 128 first-grade games for the Cowboys and he played a handy interchange role in the club’s maiden premiership win in 2015, ironically beating the Broncos in the all-Queensland grand final.

Asiata is one of the code’s most versatile players, having played prop, second row, lock, five-eighth and halfback for the Cowboys since his NRL debut in 2014.

But with Dally M sensation Jason Taumalolo entrenched in the lock position at the Cowboys, Asiata was resigned to looking elsewhere as he chased a starting position in the No. 13 jumper.

The signing of Asiata would give Walters some flexibility with the composition of his Broncos pack.

If Lodge eventually leaves the Broncos, Walters would look to Tongan international Tevita Pangai Jr to spend more time at prop, with Carrigan and Asiata to provide support in the middle.

Pangai Jr was close to being sacked in August following his bikie barber-shop COVID breach but Walters is confident he can get the talented forward firing.

“I have a lot of belief in Tevita,” he said.

“He is a wonderful player and he had some tough times last year, but I’m backing him and I want to get him back to a level that’s acceptable.

“I won’t ask Tevita or any other player to do what they aren’t capable of. I will give him a platform to succeed.”

Originally published as Broncos transfers: John Asiata tipped to join Brisbane, Matt Lodge free to leave