Matt Lodge has played his last game for the Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy said that Kevin Walters comments that Matt Lodge was staying at the club were true at the time but the goalposts had shifted dramatically in the past 48 hours.

Matt Lodge is set to make his debut for the Warriors next week Picture: NRL Photos

Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy on Thursday night insisted the goalposts had shifted dramatically at the 11th hour as Matt Lodge’s time at the Broncos finally came to an end only days after coach Kevin Walters insisted he was going nowhere.

Lodge, having been given a path back to the NRL by the Broncos, was pulled out of the side for the weekend after a deal was struck that will allow him to join the Warriors with immediate effect.

He had a further three years remaining on his contract with the Broncos but so desperate was he to leave, he took one less year to smooth the path to the Warriors.

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The Broncos are believed to be chipping in close to $1.5 million as part of the settlement, which ends the scuttlebutt that had accompanied Lodge since Walters was appointed to coach the side.

Walters had given him permission to leave but had seemingly put the matter to bed on Monday when he said that Lodge and Tevita Pangai Junior would be staying at the club for the remainder of the season.

Those comments, it seemed, only served to heat up the discussions over Lodge and a breakthrough was finally reached on Thursday morning.

Walters has been accused of mixed messaging since taking the reins at the Broncos and his critics no doubt took note of this week and the apparent confusion around Lodge’s future.

Donaghy insisted Walters’ comments were accurate at the time and his only motive was to put on a united public front.

“Stability is important for our squad and our club but so too is making the right decisions for the long-term, and sometimes those decisions aren’t easy,” Donaghy said.

“There have been conversations since the back end of last year with regard to Matthew’s future at the club from both sides.

“There was no real viable option at any point up until the last 48 hours. Last week the guys had the bye with the rep weekend, they have all come back in and as all coaches do and should, Kevvie has wrapped an arm around his players and put a position forward based off the question he was asked which was absolutely accurate at that point.

“Following that there were a number of conversations that happened and changed the goalposts, which can often happen in rugby league happen quickly.”

Lodge added: “I’ve always tried my best for the club and for the jersey. I’d like to thank everyone at the club including the fans and sponsors who have helped me along my journey in recent years.”

There is every chance Pangai will soon follow Lodge out the door given his management continues to talk to interested parties. The Wests Tigers were initially considered favourites but it is understood they have not progressed talks, leaving Canterbury and St George Illawarra to monitor the situation.

The club has also told Anthony Milford he is free to leave at the end of the season, Walters having admitted defeat in his bid to bring out the best in the former Queensland star.

Milford has languished in Queensland Cup for much of the year, having failed to impress when given a chance in the NRL. His future looks elsewhere and he faces a massive pay cut – he is in the final year of a contract worth $1 million a season – wherever he lands.

Lodge’s departure overshadowed the other big news at the Broncos on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the club announced they have secured Penrith and Queensland utility Kurt Capewell from next season on a three year deal believed to be worth in excess of $1.5 million.

Freshly-minted head of football and performance Ben Ikin had made Capewell one of his priorities and he wasted no time securing the Maroons star.

He is the third significant signing made by the Broncos – South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds and Melbourne Storm centre Brenko Lee will join the club next year.

The Broncos have also retained the likes of Kotoni Staggs, Jordan Riki, Brendan Piakura, Teui “TC” Robati and Selwyn Cobbo in recent months.

“Kurt has talent, footy smarts, experience and a strong work ethic, all attributes we want here at the Broncos,” Ikin said.

“In the past 12 months, he has played in an NRL grand final and a winning Queensland State of Origin team – that experience will be invaluable for our playing group.

“We have some great emerging talent here at the club who are learning to be true rugby league professionals, and I think Kurt will be a perfect addition to the squad in that respect.”