Matt Lodge has accepted a sizeable pay-cut to complete the yr on a train-and-trial cope with Manly, his fourth NRL membership in simply over two years.
The prop ahead left the Sydney Roosters final month after being instructed there was no house for him in 2024 given Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ contract extension and the approaching arrival of premiership winner Spencer Leniu.
Off-contract at season’s finish, Lodge was anticipated to see the yr out however was permitted an early launch after falling out of favour on the choice desk.
Lodge’s choices for a brand new membership appeared restricted given his earlier historical past.
The Wests Tigers minimize him free after he pleaded responsible to a misdemeanour reckless assault cost incurred whereas holidaying in New York in 2015. Lodge threatened to kill a German vacationer, assaulted the person who got here to her assist and threw a wine bottle at police however prevented jail time.
Lodge’s subsequent NRL membership Brisbane launched him as new coach Kevin Walters started tinkering with the roster in mid-2021.
He was launched by the Warriors after expressing considerations with relocating to Auckland as soon as COVID-19 restrictions eased and an alleged falling-out with membership proprietor Mark Robinson.
Lodge will line up for Manly’s NSW Cup aspect Blacktown on Sunday.
The $1,000-per-week train-and-trial deal represents fairly the paycut for Lodge, who was reportedly paid $700,000 by the Warriors to depart in mid-2022.
He bolsters a Manly center rotation that additionally consists of Jake Trbojevic, Josh Aloiai and Taniela Paseka.