Super League-linked Matt Lodge is determined to show that he still belongs in the NRL after taking up a deal with North Queensland Cowboys.
Lodge had interest from Super League clubs with reports down under last month suggesting that he may have been seriously considering the move to the Northern Hemisphere, despite having a deal at Manly Sea Eagles on the table.
However, the forward has now made the surprise switch to the Cowboys, where he will be striving to earn a spot in Todd Payten’s plans over the coming months leading into the 2026 season.
At the age of 30, Lodge is an NRL veteran of more than 130 appearances but not since 2019 has he made more than 12 first grade appearances in a season, having played a bit part role for a number of years down under.
That 2019 campaign was one of three and a half spent at Brisbane Broncos, where he made 65 appearances, while he has also represented Wests Tigers, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters and, of course, Manly, where he played 12 times last season.
“People call it a lifeline, but I was always alive,” Lodge said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph down under.
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“I had a top 30 deal at Manly, a club that was five minutes down the road from my family’s house. I chose the Cowboys because I still care about and love my footy.
“I knew deep down, moving away from my comfort zone and making some sacrifices, would be the best thing for me.
“I’ve prepared like a park footy player, but played in the hardest competition in the world for a couple of years now. I thought I owed it to myself to get in the best shape I can and see what I can do at the Cowboys. I’m excited.”
On how the move came about, he added: “I didn’t have an agent for a while but a few weeks ago I engaged someone else and they brought me a few deals.
“I loved it at Manly. It was my local team.
“I had a deal there but they made it clear the Souths prop (Davvy) Moale was their priority signing this year and they’ve obviously signed him for four years.
“The Cowboys was definitely the hardest move, logistically, but something about it felt right. Their squad excites me. And I thought it would help my footy.
“So when a team was investing in me and doing all they could to get me up (to Townsville) and help our family out, I felt like it was time to look after us.”
