LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Matthew Lodge recently shared insights into his transition from the Manly Sea Eagles to the North Queensland Cowboys, addressing doubts about his career. He emphasized that he is "no spent force" as he embarks on this new chapter in his NRL journey.
Contrary to beliefs that his career was winding down, Lodge expressed a desire to help turn the Cowboys into a serious premiership contender following his sudden exit from the Sea Eagles.
In his first interview since signing a one-year contract with the Cowboys, Lodge explained that the decision to leave Manly was his own. He reasoned that moving to a new environment in the tropics would challenge him and push him beyond his comfort zone.
At 30 years old and joining his seventh NRL club, Lodge also confronted the longstanding perceptions of his reputation, particularly the fallout from his infamous incident in New York in 2015, which he admitted has been a constant shadow in his life. "People call it a lifeline, but I was always alive," Lodge remarked in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
Lodge mentioned that he has recently ended his relationship with long-time manager Isaac Moses and has now partnered with agent Sam Ayoub, who represents Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston and played a pivotal role in facilitating his move to Townsville.
Leaving Manly wasn't an easy decision for Lodge, as the club was located just five minutes away from his family home.