St George Illawarra have picked up Matt Lodge from the NRL scrapheap with the veteran prop agreeing to a train and trial deal.
New Souths coach Wayne Bennett had been looking to bring Lodge in after an unsuccessful stint at Manly but the 29-year-old will try his luck at the Dragons.
They have a vacant roster spot left in their top 30 squad so if Lodge impresses coach Shane Flanagan in the pre-season, he could be elevated to a full-time contract by Round 1.
It will be Lodge’s sixth club after he also had stints at the Wests Tigers, Warriors and Roosters in his 121-game NRL career which was punctuated by a three-year absence due to criminal charges in New York nearly a decade ago.
Lodge lobbed at the Sea Eagles midway through the 2023 season after falling out of favour at the Roosters but he suffered an ACL tear just three games into his stint at Brookvale.
He returned to play nine matches for Manly last season and was a starting prop in their two finals appearances but has been cut adrift as the Sea Eagles invest in younger talent.
Parramatta have retained one of their rising stars with Luca Moretti extending his contract until the end of 2027.
The 24-year-old forward has played 21 games for Parramatta and is likely to be in the game-day line-up for their opening round assignment against the Storm.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue my journey with the Eels,” he said.
“The club has given me everything I need to develop as a player, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and giving my best this year.”
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/d0Qv5RK set to suit up for sixth NRL club after Dragons toss veteran prop a lifeline
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