‘Need to pay the bills’: Matt Lodge inks part-time contract after rejecting $300k lifeline

An NRL journeyman has accepted a a part-time deal to stay at his old club just three months after rejecting a $300,000 deal.

NRL journeyman Matt Lodge has accepted a deal to join Manly’s extended playing squad just three months after rejecting a $300,000 offer from the club.

In November, Lodge was offered a two-year extension at the club for 2025 and 2026 worth the NRL minimum wage of $150,000 per season.

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But the veteran prop knocked back the contract, stating he had no animosity towards the club but that he couldn’t put his body on the line for minimum wage.

“I can’t play for that amount when that sort of money is given to a kid just coming out of a school who hasn’t played a game of NRL,” Lodge said at the time.

Lodge was shopped around to clubs and looked set to sign with the Dragons but they were only willing to offer him a train-and-trial deal worth $1200 a week.

The 29-year-old has played for five NRL clubs but after failing to land a top 30 contract anywhere in 2025, he agreed to stay at Manly.

Lodge will work three days a week on a construction site and continue his professional boxing career while playing NSW Cup with a view to forcing his way into the NRL squad.

An ACL rupture and torn biceps limited Lodge to just 12 appearances in his two seasons at the Sea Eagles, but the 29-year-old prop believes his best football is still ahead of him.

“I know I’ll get back to where I want to be and I’m backing my ability.” Lodge said.

“It wasn’t a case of me wanting to leave this club but the offer elsewhere at the time which I thought I was leaving for, was too good to refuse.

“I don’t need to go into all the details, but it is what it is and everything always works out in the end.

Manly prop Matt Lodge comes up against the Roosters on Thursday night. NRL Imagery

“I feel I was just hitting my straps at the back end of last season, and I can’t wait to rip in again.”

Lodge said family and friendships were at the centre of his decision to ultimately accept the club’s offer.

“Although I need to pay the bills, it’s not all about money,” he said.

“I had an opportunity elsewhere, which at the time I thought was the right thing for us to do, but things change, and you adapt.

“After weighing it all up, I’ve realised that here is where I want to be, and I’m prepared to make sacrifices in the process.

“I have made a lot of close friends in my time here at Manly and it feels like home.

“I left on good terms and felt like I was only just getting started here after some unlucky injuries. So, I turned the offer down, and here we are.”

Lodge, who has four children under the age of eight, said his kids were thrilled to be staying on the northern beaches.

“I’ll continue to work three days a week on a building site where I’ve been for the past six months, and I’ll also be preparing for my second pro fight in early March,” he said.

“My four young boys are all Manly fans having grown up here and playing with Mona Vale Raiders.

“They were in tears when I told them I might have to leave but they’re very happy now.

“We are really settled on the northern beaches. Family time, and lifestyle, are very important to us.

“Now it’s up to me to do the work and fight my way back and to be ready whenever the team needs me.”

SOUTHS LOCK DOWN YOUNG GUN

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have locked down one of their most impressive young forwards, extending Tallis Duncan until the end of the 2027 season.

Duncan, who made his NRL debut for South Sydney midway through 2023, was off-contract at the end of this year but the Rabbitohs were quick to make sure the standout forward wasn’t lured away by rival teams.

Duncan was highly-rated coming through the lower grades, winning the club’s NSW Cup player of the year award in 2023 after being crowned the 2022 Jersey Flegg Cup player of the year and players’ player award winner.

“Tallis is one of the new generation of modern-day forwards – tough as nails, agile and adaptable, high energy and big work rate that won’t take a backwards step,” Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment, Mark Ellison, said.

Tallis Duncan has re-signed with the Rabbitohs. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“He has played strongly at the NRL level over his first two years playing in the top grade which earned him his first green and gold jersey late in 2024.

“He gives us versatility in our forwards rotation, but most importantly, he has the right attitude and drive to be the best he can be every time he pulls on the Rabbitohs jersey and wants to be a South Sydney player.

“He made that very clear during our talks about extending his tenure with the club. South Sydney is where he wants to be.”

BULLDOGS SIGN PROMISING WARRIORS YOUNG GUN

The Warriors have confirmed young gun Zyon Maiu’u has been granted an early release from his contract to sign with the Bulldogs.

The 21-year-old previously was contracted until the end of 2026, having made his NRL debut in the Warriors’ Anzac Day clash against the Titans last season.

“We were keen for Zyon to stay but he’s looking for more opportunities,” Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden said in a statement.

“He came through our system to make his NRL debut last year and we wish him the very best for what lies ahead.”

Maiu’u played 43 games for the Warriors’ reserve grade side in 2023 and 2024, but is off to Belmore with the Bulldogs confirming hte news on Tuesday.

The Knights were also reportedly interested in his services, but ultimately Maiu’u is set to become the third forwards recruit to join Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo.

Canterbury has already signed Sitili Tupouniua and Tom Amone, while added Enari Tuala and Marcelo Montoya to their outside backs stocks.

The Warriors’ decision to allow the promising forward to leave the club reportedly came down to the plethora of young talent they have gunning for first grade spots.

ROOSTERS RE-SIGN EGAN

The Roosters have re-signed Egan Butcher on a two-year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of 2027.

Butcher suffered an ACL injury in Round 12 last year which ended his season but the Tricolours have shown faith in one of their juniors.

The 24-year-old backrower made his NRL debut at the Roosters in 2021 and has made 56 appearances for the club.

“I’ve been with the Roosters since I was a teenager and I love everything about the place so I’m really happy to extend my future with the Club,” Butcher said.

“I’m excited about what’s ahead and can’t wait to keep working hard with the group we have here.

Roosters head of recruitment Daniel Anderson praised Butcher’s work ethic and commitment to his teammates every week.

“Egan is a player who gives everything for his teammates and has a genuine love for the game,” said Anderson.

“He’s also a terrific character off the field so we’re thrilled to have him remain part of our squad for the long term.

Originally published as ‘Need to pay the bills’: Matt Lodge inks part-time contract after rejecting $300k lifeline