The Rumours Thread

[Desperate Dragon]

If signing Matt Lodge means Blake Lawrie is nowhere near the top 17 then I'm good with it.

What we will never know is just how much goes on behind the scenes with player managers and the never ending movement of players between clubs.
Still plenty of time for players to be moved on etc, with Flanagan looking at all options to get a player or two off our books in the coming months.
The other interesting thing is the number of players being shopped around and getting offered to Flanagan.
So much emphasis seems to get placed on the names of the players we have missed out on whilst never knowing that there are players now wanting to play for the Dragons.

 

[The Word]

Lodge is not the alpha prop we were hoping for but he will soak up the big hits early on in games. This should be invaluable as we try to bring on 7 young forwards this season, the Couchmans, Tonga, Halangahu, Egan, Stewart and Latu.

 

[slippery5]

I wanted him barred forever when seeing the vision of his asault, however his turnaround in giving up alcohol? & he appears to have matured to a respectable father. I didn't really pay much attention to his game until he joined Manly where I was pleasantly surprised of his courage & speed hitting the line for a big guy.
If he hadn't have had that little incident in the US supporters would be more acceptable to him joining their club as a good middle forward.
So I'll take him, we need a heavier middle with some leg speed to assist F. Molo.

 

[Gold_Coast Dragon]

Why did the Warriors pay him out 700k to just bugger off and never come back 1.5 years early?

 

[ground zero]

Why did the Warriors pay him out 700k to just bugger off and never come back 1.5 years early?

Because the NRL will find a reason to suspend him playing for the Dragons.

 

[Centralcoastdragon2]

I believe Warriors owner Robbo and Lodge had a disagreement. Possibly at a function.

 

[St Tangles]

I believe Warriors owner Robbo and Lodge had a disagreement. Possibly at a function.

Correct and the Warriors owner was the instigator hence the full payout

 

[George Sancti]

I would think that Coach Flanno and Lodge have agreed on a 1 or 2 year contract. The T&T agreement is just to bridge the gap until one of the top 30 can be moved on.

 

[Biglance]

Lodge was one of the reasons manly beat the dogs in the finals last year. He bashed them

 

[possm]

If Lodge is fit and ready to go he will be one of the first props picked to play in the top 17. He will be the alpha prop we need to assist with bringing our younger props through off the bench.

 

[redV06]

Lodge has a 12 month contract in the top 30.

 

[Crush]

Lodge has a 12 month contract in the top 30.

Can you expand on this? I don’t really understand the train and trial stuff, I thought T&T contracts weren’t allowed to play until round 11.
Are you saying his contract has been upgraded overnight?

 

[mattw5]

I think the T&T will be upgraded to top 30 by round 1 we are clearly just seeing how he applies himself at training & fits in culturally just doing their due diligence first.

 

[hewi]

Lodge is a big unit and IMO the perfect body shape for a prop, he has given up the drink and turned his life around so welcome and his hoping you kill it.

 

[Desperate Dragon]

Lodge has a 12 month contract in the top 30.

According to the NRL.com official website as at this morning, Nathan Lawson is listed in the top 30 as being under contract for 2025.
Leaving one Development spot open, and our top 30 squad full.
No mention of Lodge.
Has anyone got any additional information about this??

 

[George Sancti]

Lodge is a big unit and IMO the perfect body shape for a prop, he has given up the drink and turned his life around so welcome and his hoping you kill it.

I agree with your comments hewi. Whilst Lodge may not be the best prop in the competition, the type of football he plays is exactly what we need for season 2025. We have a number of good agile forwards in the Couchmen, Su'A and Leilua. Lodge will bring toughness and the ability to hit the line hard and also absorb much of what other teams though at us.

 

[BLM01]

According to the NRL.com official website as at this morning, Nathan Lawson is listed in the top 30 as being under contract for 2025.
Leaving one Development spot open, and our top 30 squad full.
No mention of Lodge.
Has anyone got any additional information about this??

Everything being reported from reliable official channels is train and trial deal ATM that's it!. NRL com & FOX reporting are sometimes misguided or misrepresented. Why are people looking for or surmising something different? What eventuates tomorrow, next week, next month or by August 1 will comment then

 

[BLM01]

Can you expand on this? I don’t really understand the train and trial stuff, I thought T&T contracts weren’t allowed to play until round 11.
Are you saying his contract has been upgraded overnight?

It is not that hard and you are correct generally if remain T & T deal for that long.
They can be upgraded to supplementary deal or Top 30 if position comes up any time.

 

[saintmar]

Lodge is a good signing to complement a well balanced squad
It now is Flano’s side
It‘s now over to the players and the coach
Minimum expectation is top 6 which is just a pass mark
Top 4 should be the aim
We should all be confident now with the squad and coach
Anything less is a failure
No more excuses

 

[possm]

Lodge has a 12 month contract in the top 30.

That is great news, do you have a link?