Fancied NRL team slams door shut on Matt Lodge move but recent purchase hints at next club

One team has already slammed the door shut on Matt Lodge, although a recent purchase could point towards his next club.

Matt Lodge faces an uncertain NRL future. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

In the space of just 24 hours, Matt Lodge went from being named in the Warriors’ line-up to take on the Dragons to then being immediately released by the New Zealand outfit.

The bruising forward’s contract was set to expire at the end of the season, but he told the club’s powerbrokers that he wanted out largely because he didn’t envisage his family setting up shop in New Zealand on a long-term basis.

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With Lodge now a free agent that any team can sign effective immediately, it sent the rumour mill into overdrive about which club made the most sense.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Lodge recently purchased a house on Sydney’s northern beaches, sparking whispers that he could join the Manly Sea Eagles.

There’s also speculation that Lodge could join the Dolphins in 2023.

The former Bronco has plenty of links that would make a switch to the NRL’s 17th team seem straightforward.

The Dolphins’ recruitment boss, Peter O’Sullivan, is Lodge’s father-in-law and was also the key figure who brought him to the Warriors as O’Sullivan was the New Zealand outfit’s recruitment chief at the time.

Lodge also knows inaugural Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett well, as the NRL great signed him for the Broncos in 2018 after three years away from the game.

Matt Lodge has left the Warriors effective immediately. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that the Dolphins won’t be able to afford Lodge due to the club already shelling out big coin to veteran forwards like Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers.

The Dolphins are also looking to spend a significant amount of money on a marquee playmaker, further quashing any idea that Lodge could end up at the 17th team next season.

Lodge’s immediate departure from the Warriors continues the New Zealander’s mammoth player upheaval, with Lodge, Chanel Harris-Tavita and Euan Aitken departing for next season.

However, the Warriors have signed Dylan Walker, Marata Niukore, Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf for next season as well as Daejarn Asi, Ronald Volkman and Freddy Lussick signing for the club in the previous few weeks.

Originally published as Fancied NRL team slams door shut on Matt Lodge move but recent purchase hints at next club