NRL green lights fresh Lodge deal
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has given the green light to Matt Lodge playing on next season with the governing body to rubberstamp the controversial prop’s new Broncos contract.
The Broncos are in the final stages of completing a two-year deal for Lodge, who has weathered an early-season firestorm to play his 20th game for Brisbane against Canterbury tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium.
Just four months ago, Greenberg gave the Broncos a firm ultimatum, warning the NRL would not register Lodge next season unless the prop committed to a payment plan following his New York rampage in 2015.
Now Lodge is in the clear. The Broncos will this month send an upgraded deal to the NRL for Lodge, who recently reached a financial settlement with his American victims after Broncos boss Paul White flew to New York to meet with lawyers.
As part of Lodge’s new contract, Greenberg will be supplied with full details of the forward’s payment plan to settle his American debts.
Lodge last month revealed he had taken out a personal loan to pay his US victims and the NRL last night confirmed a more lucrative Broncos contract will be approved – guaranteeing his future in the code.
“We always took the view that once the victims agreed to a compensation plan an upgraded contract could be registered,” an NRL spokesman said.
Greenberg has taken a hardline stance on the Lodge issue but the fresh backing of the NRL CEO is evidence of the 23-year-old’s path to redemption this season.
The 116kg prop has been a key pillar in Brisbane’s surge towards the top four.
Lodge has played every game for the Broncos this season, withstanding ribcartilage damage in April to continue spearheading Brisbane’s engine room.