Roosters give Lodge permission to leave immediately - SMH

[On the Nose]

If it means more game time for Whyte then all is good.

[BillyBonkers]

Wasn't Whyte mentioned as an interest for Manly ?

[Carlos Parra]

Pity about Lodge. Chalk him up as a decent stop-gap, but a bad influence.

[Chook2]

Thanks for your time lodgey
went we’ll end of last year and start of this year
have to feel we might not have signed Leniu if they new jwh Was going around again and when he wanted to they signed him to

a decent player . Not a $800k player but $500 or $600, we got our value for money $300k with others paying for his bill

fell away the last month on form

[QWERTY]

As did James Maloney I think and he worked out ok

It worked out alright for both parties (not initially for us, but probably helped set us up for 18/19 .

Was Maloney released by us? I thought he just left to the sharks because we didn’t resign him? I’m positive that he wasn’t released by the Warriors or Storm, but maybe he was by us?

[4 the all in brawl]

The Sydney Roosters have granted Matt Lodge permission to leave the club immediately after the prop forward’s management requested a release from the final year of his deal.

The Roosters left Lodge out of their NRL team last week, and he is no longer part of their plans this season.

The club turned down two requests in the past month for Lodge to leave immediately, however a Roosters official confirmed to this masthead the club has had a change of heart.

The club is privately disappointed with Lodge’s performances and attitude since he was informed his contract wouldn’t be renewed, which allowed the club to re-sign veteran prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for another season.

The Roosters haven’t got the money for another middle forward, given they will welcome premiership-winning Panthers forward Spencer Leniu in 2024.

Lodge’s management last week again asked the club for a release, the third request in a month. This time, the club agreed to part ways with the front-rowe

It’s unclear whether a deal has been done at a rival club. Lodge is on a contract worth about $300,000 at the Roosters this season, and is still attending training despite the fact he is unlikely to play for the Tricolours again.

Financially, Lodge’s release will have little impact on the Roosters’ salary cap position, but they have no objections to the former Broncos forward leaving immediately.
The club had been impressed with Lodge since he joined the club, but things began to sour when it became clear the Roosters would prioritise the retention of Waerea-Hargreaves over him.

News Corp last week reported Lodge recently met Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo about the prospect of heading to Belmore but no deal was guaranteed.

Lodge addressed his future earlier this month but gave no indication as to where he would end up.

“I think I’ll be heading on at this point,” Lodge said.

“I’m just happy to play my role ... whether it ends here, at the end of the year or if it’s longer. I’ve enjoyed my time here and I am enjoying my time here, so it’s good.

“I’m on a reduced [deal] but I can’t do that forever. I was probably under the assumption that I was going to stay longer when I did that, and we did speak about that, but the situation changed.”

See ya later Lodge, you won't be missed........

[4 the all in brawl]

It worked out alright for both parties (not initially for us, but probably helped set us up for 18/19 .

Was Maloney released by us? I thought he just left to the sharks because we didn’t resign him? I’m positive that he wasn’t released by the Warriors or Storm, but maybe he was by us?

We signed him for 2013 just before or after the 2011 grand final, he certainly wasn't released by the Warriors........

Again the Sharks signed him during the last year of his 3 year deal with us expiring 2015 so he was a free agent, he took up a large offer from them at the time. We thought Hastings was going to be the answer..

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

We signed him for 2013 just before or after the 2011 grand final, he certainly wasn't released by the Warriors........

Again the Sharks signed him during the last year of his 3 year deal with us expiring 2015 so he was a free agent, he took up a large offer from them at the time. We thought Hastings was going to be the answer..

Facts Brawler

[trewhella]

Dude looks like he is a power lifter.
got way way too big in the gym.

[Easts75]

Dude looks like he is a power lifter.
got way way too big in the gym.

Since his face injury earlier this year it looks like he has put on 15kg !!!

[Bondicigar]

This situation seems all too common these days .
all this talent unable to fire for 1 reason or another.
the is something smelly in the air at the chooks atm

[Thirteen]

This situation seems all too common these days .
all this talent unable to fire for 1 reason or another.
the is something smelly in the air at the chooks atm

For sure. It’s not as if they all forgot to how to play high quality footy. There is something wrong with the culture. I never thought that would happen with a guy like a Robbo at the helm. Hopefully we weed out the bad ones. Lodge leaving immediately would indicate that the wheels are in motion. I’d like to see the back of Brandon Smith now.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Based on last years form its disappointing that the club couldn't re-sign him. I remember he said at one stage that he would be willing to sign for less if it meant JWH was going to be extended. I've haven't seen enough from our young props to say that they are definitely going to be better than him. That said even on his best day $700k is too much for him

[morley101]

Who do we replace Lodge's spot in the top 30 ? do we promote within or find someone from outside ?

I would promote Sandon Smith to the top 30 and promote Junior Pauga to a development contract.

[DP1990]

Meh ... I wish he played with the same intent as he did when he came onto the scene for us last year as we went on that 8 games in a row run. That was a big part due to Lodge coming in and giving us some extra grunt but this season has been a complete misfire from him. I'm not sure whether the facial injury caused a confidence issue or whether some administrative issue with contract extensions etc has caused him to become a little sour. With players like Whyte, Brown and even May ... we'll be ok for the rest of the season.


Nonetheless, thank you for your service.


Next stop Super league ... or the Dogs