Bronco Lodge to keep rampages on the field
CONTROVERSIAL Brisbane signing Matt Lodge says he wants to repay the NRL club’s faith by helping the Broncos win a premiership in 2018.
Brisbane raised eyebrows when they signed Lodge on a one-year deal when the ex-Wests Tigers prop was cleared by the NRL integrity unit two years after being deregistered over an alcohol-fuelled rampage in New York.
Lodge avoided jail in the US after pleading guilty to reckless assault for the October 2015 incident but was hit with a $1.6 million damages bill.
Test coach Mal Meninga was among Brisbane’s critics for signing Lodge, saying the prop should serve a 12-month ban first.
But Lodge, 22, said he had learnt his lesson and wanted to make up for lost time by claiming a Brisbane premiership.
“In 2018 I want to repay the favour to the club,” Lodge told Broncos website. “I am committed to winning a comp and playing my best footy I can for the Broncos and help achieve that for the group.”
Lodge avoided a year in jail over the New York incident in which he punched a man before forcing his way into his apartment and trying to kick down the door to a bathroom where the man’s wife and child were hiding.
He was allowed by the NRL to train with the Broncos in 2017 season and impressed for Redcliffe.
“I had a fair stint out. It taught me a lot of lessons so I am pretty grateful for the experience,” Lodge said.
He initially planned to retire from league after being hit with the huge damages bill.
At one stage he worked as a landscaper before Wayne Bennett convinced him to give the NRL another shot.
I HAD A FAIR STINT OUT. IT TAUGHT ME A LOT OF LESSONS SO I AM PRETTY GRATEFUL FOR THE EXPERIENCE... MATT LODGE