Paul Gallen says his opinion of Matt Lodge has “greatly lowered”, but insists it is fair for the young prop to return to the NRL this week after his 2015 New York rampage.
Lodge’s first-grade comeback for Brisbane against St George Illawarra on Thursday night has divided opinion ever since the NRL approved his contract last November.
The 22-year-old hasn’t played in the NRL since the infamous October 2015 night in New York, where he told a female German tourist “this is the night you die”, before assaulting a man in his Manhattan family apartment after he came to her rescue.
Footage of the assault was released last Friday, reigniting the debate surrounding Lodge’s place in the game.
Gallen, one of the most senior players in the NRL, argued on Sunday that the Lodge had served his time and that the league had let people return from far worse cases including the abuse of females.
However he later backtracked on the latter part of that reasoning, saying he had learned more details of Lodge’s case.
“I’ve since found out more about the story and found out that Matt actually threatened a woman which in my books is bad enough,” Gallen said on a video posted on his Instagram account.
“So my opinion of Matt and this whole situation has greatly lowered.
“Hopefully he is made to pay the compensation to his victims.”
A former Junior Kangaroos captain, Lodge’s rap sheet also includes a Kings Cross altercation in 2015 and a two-game ban in 2014 for writing c*** on his wrist strapping during an under-20s Origin.
He now owes $US1.2 million ($1.5m) in damages to the victims of his New York rampage. He pleaded guilty to a reckless assault charge.
But Gallen said if the NRL had decided he was now a fit to return to the competition, it was time to allow Lodge to get on with his career.
“I know it’s a topic at the moment, but at the end of the day we’ve all got to move on from it. He’s served his time and let’s just get on with it,” Gallen said.
“Lodge is at an age where he can still play in the NRL, wants to play in the NRL, and he has the ability to play in the NRL.
“If he’s served his time and done everything required of him, how long do we keep punishing him for?”
B.A Sports
Guest
Well when Beattie and the Expansionists get their extra teams we are going to have to start accepting players with tarnished life records in order to have enough players. So people better get used to it.
Emcie
Roar Guru
The NRL did explain their reasons, as did the broncos, back before he was signed, and the NRL denied his applications to return for two years, despite intrest from clubs including the broncos, until they'd seen enough of his rehabilitation.
Big Daddy
Guest
Lot of divided opinion on this and a big push from someone other than NRL for this guy not to play. There must be some legal reasons why they have registered him. As this offence was committed in another country may have bearing ( not sure). The thing is NRL never come out and explain their reasons for making decisions wether it be this or any controversy. They would have to be the weakest administrators in any code in Australia. But the messiah from the north has arrived and he will fix everything.
Jonno
Guest
Wow, just wow! "I am too young to die" cried a little boy. Matt Lodge is a great addition to the NRL.
Sophia
Guest
I am still dissapointed in Paul Gallen for shooting off about Lodge displaying his bad fighting skills. The story behind this is truly shocking to me and I cannot imagine what all this looks like to this poor family and to the young woman they just tried to help. I have daughters and I would like to know that someone would be willing to help if they were feeling vulnerable.
frnq
Guest
Paul Galon opened is A$$ before he opened his mouth about this clown. What a thug this former NSW caption is. This lodge guy is a thug, crook and a very low grade human being.
steve
Guest
Gee I really wish people would shut up about the compensation. The compensation issue is nothing at all to do with the NRL or the Broncos, and should have no bearing on whether he should play NRL or not. The compensation is a private matter between two parties. If people bother to check, Matt Lodge has, on three separate occasions, tried to negotiate a settlement of the compensation awarded by a court, which wasn't contested by him, as he was unable to afford a lawyer. The victims haven't wanted a bar of settlement. I have asked this question before, and I'm still yet to get an answer, Matt Lodge, who hasn't played NRL since 2015, so he has spent more than two years out of the game, was earning $700 a week last year playing Q Cup for Redcliffe, and has a partner and baby to provide for, so how exactly can he have started paying compensation to satisfy the outraged masses on the internet on less than minimum wage? Interestingly, none of this was an issue last year when he played Q Cup. There was no massive internet faux outrage about his lack of paying compensation, why is it a big issue now when the NRL is full of second, third and fourth chance offenders of numerous different criminal charges including sexual assault, violent assault, domestic violence, drug use,etc.
Fats1996
Roar Rookie
I have no problems with him playing, just needs to pay out his civil suit imo. Hes a low grade human being but so is Packer and like 10% of the players. At least Packer understands remorse I guess.
GWSingapore
Guest
Here is an opportunity for Peter Beattie to step in and show some true leadership. Hello Mr Beattie??? Are you there??? Can't hear you!!!
Fred Skuttle
Guest
Wonder what Mitchell Pearce/Shaun Kenny-Dowell think of this - The NSW Premier even intervened on the first Shaun-Kenny-Dowell incident wanting him thrown out of the game and many wanted the same for Mitchell Pearce.
GWSingapore
Guest
Welcome Matt Lodge. Your NRL pin up THUG for 2018.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
An interesting take on the double standards promoted by the NRL. Barba and Carney have to do 1080 backflips to even be reconsidered whereas Lodge hasn't even started paying off his compensation to the affected parties, with no guarantee he ever will.