LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a classic case of footy player maneuvering, Manly Sea Eagles' powerhouse prop, Matthew Lodge, has been spotted chatting it up with a rival NRL team in hopes of securing his future beyond this season.
Lodge, currently on the injury bench with a bicep issue, is still searching for a contract for next year, with whispers indicating he may not be staying put at the Northern Beaches with the Sea Eagles.
After facing a rough ruptured ACL injury in his right knee earlier on, Lodge made his way onto the Top 30 roster after a stint with the Sydney Roosters, where he was scraping by on a humble train-and-trial deal earning him a measly grand a week.
In a bid to keep his footy dreams alive, the seasoned 29-year-old has had a chinwag with St George Illawarra Dragons' head honcho, Shane Flanagan, about a potential switcharoo, as per News Corp.
With Lodge's contract up in 2024, the Dragons are able to toss around some offers, but word on the street is that the chat with Flanagan was more of a casual, "Let's see if we can make this work" kind of deal.