Lodge ends long wait for a game

MATT Lodge’s 966-day exile from the NRL is officially over with the controversial Broncos prop to return to the big time in Saturday night’s trial against the Titans in Toowoomba.

Lodge will get a taste of topgrade action for the first time in almost three years when he makes his starting debut for the Broncos at prop at Clive Berghofer Stadium.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett will roll out a number of big guns, with Sam Thaiday to captain a 21-man squad that contains James Roberts, Jordan Kahu, Kodi Nikorima, Alex Glenn and Corey Oates.

But all eyes will be on 116kg monster Lodge, who last appeared in the NRL in June 2015 as a rookie 19-year-old front-rower against Penrith at Leichhardt Oval.

BRONCOS: Jamayne Isaako, Jonus Pearson, James Roberts, Tom Opacic, Jordan Kahu, Sam Scarlett, Kodi Nikorima, Matt Lodge, Todd Murphy, Sam Thaiday (c), Alex Glenn, Jaydn Su’A, Tevita Pangai Jnr. Bench: Sam Tagataese, Joe Ofahengaue, Korbin Sims, David Fifita, Gehamat Shibasaki, George Fai, Shaun Nona, Corey Oates. Coach: Kurt Richards