‘ CLOSURE’ FOR LODGE
MATT Lodge has appealed for the NRL to let him continue his career at the Broncos after yesterday reaching a settlement with the US victims of his New York rampage in 2015.
An emotional Lodge said he had finally found “closure” after brokering a compensation deal with his US victims – closing the door on a tumultuous three- year ordeal for the Broncos forward.
The deal was officially struck last week on June 11 after Broncos chief executive Paul White and Lodge’s father, a NSW policeman, flew to New York to meet with legal representatives.
Manhattan couple Ruth Fowler and Joseph Cartright had been pursuing a $ 1.6 million damages bill issued against Lodge in a US civil lawsuit following his alcohol- fuelled frenzy in October 2015.
White said terms of the settlement would remain confidential but Lodge confirmed he had taken out a personal bank loan to ensure his victims were compensated.
White and Lodge fronted a press conference yesterday at Brisbane’s headquarters at Red Hill to confirm the victims were now satisfied with the 23- year- old’s compensation offer.
“I definitely have closure,” said Lodge, who has a six- month- old son with his partner. “I am thankful for those impacted by what I did in 2015 that a resolution has been reached.
“I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what happened and how it has impacted them. I knew it would take time but I always intended to get this sorted out and it is good to pay back the money.
“I can now focus on my family and try and set them up as well.
“I cannot disclose any of the details of the agreement as it is confidential. However, I can say that I will pay the agreed amount by myself.”
Lodge is off- contract at season’s end and the Broncos will now move to finalise a formal upgrade, pending final approval from the NRL.
NRL boss Todd Greenberg said last month the governing body wanted to see evidence of a repayment plan from Lodge, who hopes the settlement will pave the way for him to be at the Broncos next season.
“I’ve always been thankful to the NRL,” Lodge said. “They could have ruled me out, but Todd did the right thing by me and I don’t want to let them down.
“Hopefully they let me play again, that would be good.
“It’s definitely going to be tough to pay it back. I’m on a minimum wage ( around $ 100,000) and I’m starting from the bottom.
“I think about what happened every day and it drives me to be a better person, father and member of society.”
White made it clear the Broncos were not funding Lodge’s compensation deal and said the club would attempt to re- sign the prop with the support of the NRL.
“The media is aware of the regulations around the salary cap, we are not in a position to assist Matt ( financially) in any way,” he said.
“Matt has taken full responsibility for his actions and the entire payment of the compensation.
“We’re not in a position to do that ( finalise a new deal) until the NRL gives Matt approval.
“The NRL said they wanted the compensation issue resolved and the NRL would need to green- light any attempt that we might have to upgrade Matt.
“Matt has been alcohol- free since the time of the incident and he continues to work hard on and off the field.
“He has a long way to go but hopefully he can continue his journey at this club.”