Manly coach Anthony Seibold is delighted with the physical condition the front-rower has worked himself into.
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GPS numbers are in and Matt Lodge is ready for NRL return
ByChristian Nicolussi, Adam Pengilly and Billie Eder
Updated April 16, 2024 — 7.23pmfirst published April 14, 2024 — 1.30pm
Matt Lodge’s impressive GPS results at training are why Anthony Seibiold feels comfortable catapulting him straight into Manly’s starting side despite no game time this year due to major knee surgery in the second half of 2023.
Lodge is confident he will cope with the opening physical exchanges against the Titans on Saturday evening as the Sea Eagles overcome the loss of props Tof Sipley (knee) and Josh Aloiai (suspension).
Lodge, 28, ruptured his ACL against the Sydney Roosters last August but said he could have returned a month ago. Scans also revealed he had been playing with “about a third of my ACL the past five years, so I finally got it fixed up”.
Seibold had no interest in giving Lodge some game time in NSW Cup, and said on Tuesday: “All the testing we’ve done with him has been elite. He’s been back [in] full training for about a month, and he’s been one of our best from a physical point of view.
“We’re down on troops, but I’ve got great confidence in Lodgey starting the game strongly.
“What gives me confidence is he’s done a month of scrimmage and arm wrestles and all the stuff teams do at training, which is the next best thing to playing games.”
Manly signed Lodge on a cut-price deal after he ruptured his ACL, despite knowing he would miss the start of the season.
After playing for four clubs in four seasons, Lodge wants to repay Manly and finally secure a contract extension.
“I’m only 28, even though it feels like I’m 40, I’ve got a few kids and want to settle down, and I’d love to play consistent footy and earn a deal,” Lodge said.
“I’m somehow in better nick now than before the injury.
“At the price, I wasn’t the largest risk [for Manly]. But ‘Seebs’ knows what I do off the field and at training – I’m back [from injury] early, I always said that would happen from day one, I’ve worked hard – and hopefully that deal pays off for him.”
Lodge is costing Manly about $200,000 this year, while another cut-price forward, Aaron Woods, who pockets $80,000 plus $3000 match payments, has been retained on the bench.
Speaking about Lodge’s return, Woods said: “Looking at his GPS, it’s the fastest Lodgey has moved in a while. He also looks like he’s trimmed down.”
Manly welcome the return of speedster Jason Saab, who suffered a hamstring injury in Las Vegas, as well as Reuben Garrick (concussion).
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