Disgraced NRL player Matt Lodge ‘on the right path now’

NRL footballer Matt Lodge, who recently had footage of him terrorising a New York family released, has responded.

Broncos player Matt Lodge has spoken out.

SHAMED Brisbane Broncos star Matt Lodge has spoken out following the fallout from his ugly incident in the US in 2015, admitting he did the wrong thing and disappointed his parents.

Speaking in an interview with Fox Sports’ Yvonne Sampson, the deflated Lodge expressed deep remorse over the incident that saw him filmed throwing punches after invading the home of New York couple Ruth Fowler and Joseph Cartwright.

“I’ve done the wrong thing, they didn’t deserve that. I’m not trying to escape it. I’ll do anything I can to make up for it,” he said in a short snippet provided by Fox Sports’ NRL360.

“Since I’ve got back I’ve really turned things around from that night. I’ve done a lot of rehabilitation and self reflection (which) I probably should have done years ago when I was 18 or 19 coming through the game. I just didn’t get pushed to the point where I had to do it; I didn’t think it’d do anything for me.”

The 23-year-old forward admitted his parents were deeply disappointed with him, and said the saga had been particularly harmful to his family.

“I’m not brought up like that, I don’t come from a bad family and that doesn’t represent them or my family,” Lodge said.

“At the time it was hard me because it was embarrassing and there’s nothing I can do until I start doing some good stuff.

“It is tough for them, but they’ve still stuck by me and I’ve got a good support group.”

“I done a couple of year’s worth (of rehab). I stayed in a rehabilitation facility for six weeks and lived there with people who were going through addiction problems and all sorts of things.

“I think I’m on the right path now.”

Broncos player Matt Lodge has spoken out.

Lodge’s admissions come after Channel Nine released video of the 23-year-old forward throwing punches after invading the home of New York couple Ruth Fowler and Joseph Cartright.

NRL gender adviser Catharine Lumby described the disgraceful incident as one of the “most disturbing of cases ever reviewed”.

Lodge’s return to Australia faced even more criticism after it was announced the Brisbane Broncos would be featuring him on their 2018 roster.

Mrs Fowler and Mr Cartwright claimed the young prop never apologised or attempted paying any of the $1.6 million damages fee issued in a civil lawsuit.

Lodge penned an open letter to the victims of his attack in 2016, declaring his deep remorse for the horrific night in 2015.

“Firstly, I want to tell them (the victims) that I am deeply sorry for my actions,” Lodge wrote, per the Daily Telegraph.

“My conduct was unacceptable and I take full responsibility.

“I was highly intoxicated that night but the events that led me to that state were immature and easily avoidable. I am embarrassed and ashamed that this incident occurred.

“I remember very little from that night, but I do know right from wrong. I want to make it clear that the person who they saw and encountered on that night is not who I am when I am sober, nor who I want to be.

“While I cannot undo what happened, I can assure them that I will never be involved in another incident like this.

“I am truly sorry for the harm that I caused. Thank you for sending this letter to the victims.”

The full interview will be aired on NRL 360 on Wednesday night.