Matt Lodge signs one-year deal with the Cowboys after Sea Eagles exit

One-time NRL bad boy Matt Lodge will join his seventh club after rejecting an offer from Manly to sign on with the North Queensland Cowboys.

Matt Lodge is returning to Queensland after inking a deal with the Cowboys.

Code Sports understands the one-time NRL bad boy has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cowboys, whose forward stocks took a hit with the recent retirement of veteran prop Jordan McLean.

The Cowboys moved to sign Lodge following a double injury blow to Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame that will see the key duo miss the start of next season.

It will be the seventh club for journeyman Lodge after stints with Melbourne, Wests Tigers, the Broncos, Warriors, Roosters and Manly.

The 30-year-old Lodge was in limbo for 2026 as he weighed up whether to sign another deal with the Sea Eagles, who issued the former Bronco a lifeline this year after a planned move to the Dragons collapsed.

It is understood Manly made Lodge an offer for next season, but the controversial prop has opted for a change of scenery with North Queensland.

Matthew Lodge will join the Cowboys next season - his seventh NRL club. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Lodge has played 133 games since his NRL debut in 2014 and will bring experience and aggression to a Cowboys side under pressure to hit back in 2026 after missing the finals last season.

Lodge has been linked as a possible Australian recruit for the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, who will enter the NRL in 2028.

Lodge will be a free agent then but could extend his stint in Townsville if he performs well for the Cowboys next season.

Earlier this year, Lodge spoke of his interest in PNG, playing down security concerns and outlining the attraction of tax-free dollars for Australian NRL stars.

“I think PNG is going to be great for the game,” said Lodge, who turns 31 next May.

“You wouldn’t want to disappoint the fans _ you would run through a brick wall for them.

Matthew Lodge has expressed interest in joining the PNG Chiefs.

“Since I was playing for the Redcliffe Dolphins against PNG in the Queensland Cup, I have admired their country’s passion for rugby league.

“I love how the whole country gets behind rugby league. It’s their national sport and I think a rugby league team is going to succeed there.

“To be honest, I think it can be one of the great life experiences for a rugby league player and if they get the licence, a PNG team can become a powerhouse because they have a whole nation behind them.

“I’m sure there will be some teething issues and we do have a different culture, but they have the resources and the government support to make it happen.

“I see no reason why I wouldn’t consider playing for PNG if I’m fit and still playing.

“There will be nowhere else in the game that would offer experiences like PNG.”

For now, Lodge, who played 65 games for the Broncos between 2018-21, is determined to make an impact for the Cowboys under coach Todd Payten.

Lodge’s move to the Cowboys comes after his shock decision to sever ties with the code’s most powerful agent Isaac Moses, who also manages Payten.

Lodge brokered the Cowboys deal with the help of another NRL agent and will move to the tropics in coming weeks to join North Queensland’s pre-season.

Originally published as Matt Lodge signs one-year deal with the Cowboys after Sea Eagles exit