Matt Lodge’s controversial NRL second chance looks likely to extend beyond this season, with the Brisbane prop taking out a bank loan to pay the victims of his 2015 New York rampage.
Lodge avoided a 12-month jail term in the US over the attack with a plea deal, but was hit with a $1.6 million damages bill from a civil suit.
Broncos boss Paul White and Lodge’s father met the victims and their legal team on June 11 in the US, reaching a deal which White said both parties wanted to keep confidential.
Lodge said a figure, which would be paid up front in one instalment, had given his family closure but knew he had a way to go to win back the respect of the community.
“I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what happened and how it has impacted them,” said Lodge on Wednesday, reading from a statement.
“Moving forward, I now have a young family … fully appreciate the consequences of my actions on a daily basis.
“I think about what happened in New York every day and it drives me to be a better person, a better father and better member of society.”
There was widespread condemnation earlier this year when details of his predicament surfaced, with the NRL refusing to sign off on a new deal until his debt was sorted.
White said the club would wait for the “green light” from the league and indicated it was keen to extend the 23-year-old’s one-year contract.
That deal was signed late last year amid controversy, allowing him to return to the NRL this season for the first time since the New York incident.
“Yeah, in an ideal world,” said White of a new contract.
“I’ve come to know Matt well during his time at the club – his behaviour has been exemplary.
“Matt’s taken extensive steps, been alcohol-free for that entire amount of time, done considerable rehabilitation programs … and continues to work hard,” the CEO said.
White said he didn’t regret offering Lodge a lifeline despite the public outcry and dismissed suggestions he had received special treatment given his talent and potential.
“I don’t think he’s anywhere near the No.1 prop in the game; it wasn’t a case we were driven by this just because he’s a first-grade footballer,” he said.
“He’s a member of our club and we support him like we’d support anyone else – there’s no hierarchy.”
Mushi
Guest
Whilst I do think he's gone tinfoil hat on us... Being a public company doesn't give you access to all financial information. Also hiding a couple of hundred grand is relatively straightforward.
Haz
Guest
God almighty
Haz
Guest
Dammit. Too many facts there Nat.
David webb
Guest
Maybe the Clydesdale's paid for it like they paid for half of darren lockyers contract
Pedro the Saint
Roar Rookie
I dont like the handling of the whole situation but.. where does he start.>? The victims have accepted an offer that they wouldnt have got unless he was playing footy. When Packer signed with Saints i was furious – he proved me wrong through dedication after the fact that he served 1 year in the clinger. Whilst Lodge served no time and he was a serial thug the chances of him getting another go were slim, at least he is trying to get his life sorted. His efforts to get past media and public opinion were damming due to the shocking video footage. What if there was footage of what Packer did – how much harder would it have been for him. I think he has a bit to go…
Nat
Roar Guru
Righto Tin Foil. I know this is futile because you obviously have an issue with either Lodge or the Broncos that will not let you take in any facts but I'll outline a few things for you. Paul White is not only his employer but prior to coming into the CEO position, he was a police officer and a HR exec with large mining firms so he covers quite a few bases to have on your side. Lodge's father, also a NSW police officer went over there too. 2nd, the NRL have to approve his next contract to be able to continue in the NRL. Along with that is full disclosure of any TPAs (do you think any company would want to sponsor him at this time?) and contract value and ensure it is not well below his market value. Further, the NRL do have access to the Broncos Football and Leagues Club so they can track any/all monies paid and their relationship to the Broncos (just how Manly/Parra got caught). Plus the Broncos are a public company so all shareholders have access to financial information, therefore a hidden couple of $100,000's will be identified. Do you really think the Broncos would risk all that for a player of Lodge's standing?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Greg based on your conspiracy theory, wouldn't it be easier for the Broncos to pay Jim's Lawn mowing $3,000 an hour to mow the grass around the Club and then for Jim's Lawn Mowing to approach Lodge and his management with a Third Party Payment opportunity that sat above the cap? It is actually good that a club is supporting one of its players rather than kicking him to the curb. If i were an NRL player, White is someone I would be willing to play for seeing him go to this effort to support a member of the club.
Greg
Guest
No doubt they are. The Eels once flew Fuifui Moimoi's son over from NZ as a surprise for Fui as they hadn't seen each other in five months. The NRL decided that the cost of the flight had to be included under the salary cap. Did Lodge's dad pay for his flight to NY or did the Broncos just book an extra seat next to Paul White? In the interest of transparency and fairness to other clubs lets hope the NRL is looking into all of this.
Greg
Guest
The NRL does not have access to players bank accounts and hence have no idea if the statement put out is correct or not. Which bank gave him the loan? As I said earlier there are a few questions raised by having an employer fly overseas to take care of a legal matter related to an employee that have no relation to their employment and happened years before they were even employed.
punter
Guest
Well done son. Pay your dues. Get on with life. Make something of yourself. Everybody deserves a second chance. Even those still sticking it to you for whatever reason.
Jacko
Guest
Broncos just looking after their investment and employee.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yes it would and the NRL would not approve it. That's why the very first paragraph says "bank loan". But I get that a cynical person isn't concerned with facts when they can throw out conjecture.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
i too like to jump to conclusions based on nothing.
Big daddy
Guest
+1
Greg
Guest
Of course it does, if the Broncos paid even one cent towards this then it should be included in the salary cap. His form this year would have him among the top 15 props in the game, If another club offered him $400K but the Broncos paid his debt or gave him an interest free loan in exchange for signing for $100K then it could be classed as breaching the cap.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Does it really matter if it was? The victims get some closure and he continues to pay off a debt and rebuild his life..
Greg
Guest
Why was a representative of the Broncos in New York? Seems pretty weird that a representative of someones employer would fly overseas to discuss a legal matter unrelated to their employment which happened years before they were employed by them. A cynical person might think that the bank loan was taken with the 'Bronco Bank' in exchange for resigning for a drastically reduced market value
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
First comments I’ve seen on SM. “Only took him three years!” “Well it’s a start!” “Only did it because the NRL told him to!” “If this doesn’t get him kicked out what will?!”