NRL 2024: Manly Sea Eagles prop Matt Lodge meets with Dragons | Market Watch

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has spoken to Matt Lodge following reports the off-contract forward is yet to receive an offer from Manly.

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has spoken to Matt Lodge as he expands his search for front row reinforcements to include the Manly forward.

Lodge is off contract with the Sea Eagles at the end of the season and it is believed he is yet to receive an offer from Manly, leaving him free to explore his options with rival clubs.

It is understood the meeting with Flanagan was more of a feeling out exercise for both parties, although the Dragons are known to be in the market for a front rower.

They initially expressed an interest in Stefano Utoikamanu but baulked at making a play for the Wests Tigers forward when it became clear they were unlikely to win the race for his services.

The club has also been linked with Newcastle prop Daniel Saifiti and it is believed that they could sign both him and Lodge depending on how much money the Knights chip in for their former NSW State of Origin forward.

Saifiti has two years remaining on a contract that pays him more than $800,000 a season but has been given permission to explore his options on the open market as the Knights look to rework their salary cap.

Matt Lodge. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Dragons are keen to hold talks with Saifiti as Flanagan prioritises a front rower as part of his rebuild of the joint venture club.

Lodge is another quality prop on the market, although his recent career has been blighted by injury. The 29-year-old suffered a knee injury last year that ruined his season and has been sidelined for much of this season after a biceps problem.

Those injuries have affected his ability to showcase his skills but he is due to return to the field in round 24. By then, he may have made a call on his future as he considers all avenues to extend his career.

Meanwhile, Utoikamanu and his partner Chiara have spoken to Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy as they consider his future beyond the season.

Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan is looking to strengthen his forward stocks. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Utoikamanu was destined to become a free agent at the end of the season and in an attempt to gain some clarity around his future, was given permission by the Tigers to explore the market.

The Storm have emerged as the frontrunners to sign the former NSW State of Origin forward after he held talks with Bellamy, head of football Frank Ponissi and recruitment chief Paul Bunn.

It is understood Utoikamanu may also meet Storm majority owner and chair Matt Tripp this week if he decides to seriously consider the move to Melbourne.

The alternative would potentially be to stay at the Tigers for another year and wait to see whether the club improves with Jarome Luai in its ranks.