Manly Warringah Sea Eagles is pleased to confirm Matthew Lodge will be a part of the extended playing squad for the 2025 season.
Lodge will initially play NSW Cup with a view to forcing his way into the NRL squad.
An ACL rupture and torn biceps limited Lodge to just 12 appearances in his two seasons at the Sea Eagles, but the 29-year-old prop believes his best football is still ahead of him.
“I know I’ll get back to where I want to be and I’m backing my ability.” Lodge said.
“It wasn’t a case of me wanting to leave this club but the offer elsewhere at the time which I thought I was leaving for, was too good to refuse.
“I don’t need to go into all the details, but it is what it is and everything always works out in the end.
I feel I was just hitting my straps at the back end of last season, and I can’t wait to rip in again.
Matt Lodge
Lodge says family and friendships were at the centre of his decision to return to 4 Pines Park.
“Although I need to pay the bills, it’s not all about money,” he said.
“I had an opportunity elsewhere, which at the time I thought was the right thing for us to do, but things change, and you adapt.
“After weighing it all up, I’ve realised that here is where I want to be, and I’m prepared to make sacrifices in the process.
I have made a lot of close friends in my time here at Manly and it feels like home.
Matt Lodge
“I left on good terms and felt like I was only just getting started here after some unlucky injuries. So, I turned the offer down, and here we are.”
Lodge, who has four children under the age of eight, will be juggling multiple jobs to supplement his income from football.
“I’ll continue to work three days a week on a building site where I’ve been for the past six months, and I’ll also be preparing for my second pro fight in early March,” he said.
“My four young boys are all Manly fans having grown up here and playing with Mona Vale Raiders.
They were in tears when I told them I might have to leave but they’re very happy now.
Matt Lodge
“We are really settled on the northern beaches. Family time, and lifestyle, are very important to us.
“Now it’s up to me to do the work and fight my way back and to be ready whenever the team needs me.”
The Sea Eagles kick off their 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership campaign at 4 Pines Park against the Cowboys on Saturday 8th March.
