NRL 2023: Sydney Roosters grant out-of-favour prop Matt Lodge immediate release

The Sydney Roosters have given out-of-favour Matt Lodge permission to leave immediately – and there is no shortage of suitors for the veteran prop.

Matt Lodge is no longer a Rooster. Picture: NRL Imagery

Matt Lodge is on the lookout for a new club for the rest of this season after the Sydney Roosters gave him permission to leave immediately.

The development comes a week after Lodge was dropped following a sub-par performance against Penrith.

Off-contract Lodge knew he had no future at the Roosters beyond this season after being squeezed out of the club when they signed the Panthers’ Spencer Leniu and re-signed veteran front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Lodge spoke about his situation to this masthead earlier this month.

“Jared has decided to play on,” Lodge said.

“He deserves that. He has been a warrior for a long time. I knew that when I came here.

“So I’m happy to play my role here whether it’s until the end of the year or longer.”

Matt Lodge is no longer a Rooster. Picture: NRL Imagery

He was confident of picking up a new deal.

“I’m sweet, there’ll be options. I’m not retiring,” Lodge said.

This masthead reported last week that Lodge had met with Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo about a switch to Belmore from 2024.

While he met with Ciraldo, there was no guarantee he’d end up at the Bulldogs and it’s believed no formal offer has been made from Canterbury.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Sydney Roosters grant out-of-favour prop Matt Lodge immediate release