Matt Lodge will be allowed to travel to the United States for the North Queensland Cowboys’ upcoming NRL season opener in Las Vegas.
Questions had arisen over whether the 30-year-old would be able to enter the US ahead of the Cowboys’ curtain-raiser against the Newcastle Knights on March 1, after he was arrested by police officers in New York City in 2015 following a wild rampage.
The towering 193cm prop forward, who had been holidaying in the American city at the time, was initially charged with felony burglary causing injury after he had allegedly forced his way into an apartment in Manhattan and assaulted a man, while his wife and their young child hid.
After spending some time in the infamous Rikers Island prison, Lodge secured a plea deal. The former Brisbane Broncos prop pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour count of reckless assault and would avoid returning to jail.
He was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in Australia and, as part of a civil lawsuit launched by the plaintiffs in 2018, was also required to pay $1.6million in damages.
He had spoken of his remorse following the incident. ‘I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what happened and how it has impacted them [the claimants],’ Lodge said.
Matt Lodge (right) will be allowed to travel with the North Queensland Cowboys to play in their upcoming NRL season opener against the Newcastle Knights in Las Vegas
Lodge had been arrested by New York City police officers in 2015, after he allegedly forced his way into an apartment in Manhattan and assaulted a man. He would avoid jail time for the incident
Ahead of the Cowboys’ trip to the States, general manager of football Michael Luck confirmed that Lodge would travel with the team, should he be selected to play.
‘All Cowboys players and staff have met US entry requirements ahead of the season opener in Las Vegas,’ Luck said, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Lodge’s contract with the Wests Tigers was terminated following the incident in New York.
He was handed a career lifeline three years later by former Brisbane boss Wayne Bennett, with Lodge going on to make 65 appearances for the Broncos between 2018 and 2021.
Since then, Lodge has moved around the NRL, spending two seasons with the New Zealand Warriors, two seasons with the Sydney Roosters and three seasons with Manly.
After his contract with the Sea Eagles came to an end in 2025, Lodge was widely expected to move to the United Kingdom and end his career with a Super League club.
He had endured a series of injuries during his time at Manly, which limited him to just 24 appearances across three years.
But in a surprise twist of events, the prop was snapped up by the Cowboys in December.
After securing a plea deal, he was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in Australia and in a later civil claim, was ordered to pay $1.6million in damages to the plaintiffs
Lodge was signed by the North Queensland Cowboys over the off-season and is in line to play during their trial match against Penrith next week
‘We are fortunate to be able to secure someone of Matt’s experience this late in the pre-season,’ Cowboys general manager Luck said.
‘We have been in the market for a middle forward and after the injuries to Jeremiah and Griffin it became imperative for us to sign an experienced player to complement our talented group of emerging middle forwards.
‘Matt is a big body, who can play big minutes if required, as he showed last season for Manly.’
Lodge is due to play for North Queensland in their upcoming trial match against the Penrith Panthers on February 13.
