HOW BULLDOGS BOSS HELPED INSPIRE SEA EAGLES WIN
Matt Lodge was among Manly’s best when they played the Bulldogs a fortnight ago and as they prepare to meet again in the finals on Sunday, Sport Con can now reveal the part that Bulldogs chair Adam Driussi played in inspiring that devastating display.
Driussi, who has been impressive at the helm of the Bulldogs since taking over earlier this year, lit a fuse under Lodge when he publicly distanced his club from the Sea Eagles enforcer, taking to social media last month to insist his side wasn’t interested in signing him
It is understood Lodge stored that tweet away and then ran rampant against the Bulldogs as Manly embarrassed the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium in the penultimate round of the premiership.
They will now meet in the rematch at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon with their finals survival at stake and Lodge will again have a point to prove.
Not only is Driussi’s tweet burned into his brain, but Lodge is playing for his future as he looks to secure a new contract for next season.
Only a handful of players in the finals series are off contract at the end of the year and Lodge leads the way, his ability to showcase his talents hampered by injury.
You know it’s kind of like selling a house in a financial crisis,” Lodge said.
“Like, you know, I haven’t played, I haven’t been on the field. It’s kind of like out of sight, out of mind.
“But like I said, anyone close to me I’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and got myself in good nick. I know how to play and what I do.”
Lodge was only on a short-term deal at Manly and it appears he is unlikely to stay despite making a strong return to the NRL. His chequered past means he is off limits where some sides are concerned, but Lodge is confident he will find a home as long as he keeps playing well.
“I guess that’s kind of been the scenario for the last three, four years – bouncing around on those one year deals,” he said.
“It’s not ideal but I look back on where I come from, I’m just grateful. Still plenty more left in the tank below.
“I’m probably not the most popular figure but I guess when I do my thing, there’s no-one I am kind of worried about going up against.
“It just doesn’t always work out how you wanted it to. I thought I was going to play my whole career at the Broncos and I have been at four joints since then.
“So I’m just happy to be back playing footy and let the footy do the talking, Like my dad always tells me, play well and it always works out like.”
Lodge recently celebrated the birth of his fourth child – all boys – with partner Jess. His oldest have started playing rugby league and idolise Reece Walsh.
“They have got to the age where they bring home footy cards of Walshy and people like that,” Lodge said.
“Walshy did me a favour and gave them a facetime last week before the game (recently). The kids were stoked.”
