NRL 2025: Matt Lodge set to sign train and trial deal with St George-Illawarra Dragons

Months after rejecting a reduced deal to stay at the Sea Eagles, Matt Lodge has been handed an NRL lifeline, with the prop set to sign a train and trial deal with a rival club.

St George Illawarra are set to hand Matt Lodge an NRL lifeline with the experienced prop expected to agree to a deal to join the Dragons.

The Dragons have been craving out for an experienced middle and have flirted with the prospect of signing Lodge all pre-season. That now looks like it will eventuate with the shape of the deal yet to be agreed. Lodge could arrive on a train and trial contract with the prospect of a top 30 deal on the table.

Lodge had been linked to a move to South Sydney but that deal did not eventuate. Instead, the Dragons are now the most likely destination for Lodge and they will become his third club in as many seasons and his sixth NRL side.

Manly were keen to retain the 29-year-old but on a reduced wage. He instead opted to test the open market as he looks to add to his 121-game career.

Former Manly star Matt Lodge has signed a lifeline train and trial deal to join the Dragons. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Dragons do have a top 30 roster spot open with the club having 29 contracted players. They are keen to keep that door ajar to land another player externally but they may use their final roster spot to upgrade Lodge.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan knows Lodge during his stint as an assistant coach at Manly before he took on St George Illawarra’s top job last year.

Lodge has experienced train and trial contracts before. He signed one when he originally joined Manly midway through the 2023 season from the Roosters before having a top 30 deal last year.

Train and trial players earn $1200 per week. They will pocket $3000 per first grade game they play, however they’re ineligible to be picked until round 11 — unless they win NRL approval.

Lodge played nine games for Manly last year after making his way back from a season-ending knee injury in 2023.

If Lodge is given a top 30 deal he would push for a round one bench spot at the Dragons.

Originally published as NRL 2025: Matt Lodge set to sign train and trial deal with St George-Illawarra Dragons