Matt Lodge knows he will be a polarising recruit for some Warriors fans – but hopes he can win them over with his on field contribution.
Lodge completed his first day of training on Monday,
after his move from the Broncos was confirmed last week.
The 26-year-old is an experienced NRL prop who offers a point of difference in the pack, but his signing has brought a mixed reaction, given his chequered past, notably the violent home invasion in New York in 2015.
Lodge spent two weeks in jail after that alcohol fuelled rampage, was convicted of reckless assault and was ordered to pay over US$1.5 million in damages by a United States civil court.
Axed by the Wests Tigers, he spent two years away from the NRL before being cleared in 2018 to sign with the Broncos.
The Warriors are comfortable that Lodge – who has been clean off the field since then – is reformed, after gathering character references and doing their own assessments.
But Lodge knows his past will always be a talking point.
"You know, I'm pretty used to that by now," said Lodge. "I don't think there's a club in the comp that I'd sign with, that someone wouldn't be unhappy about it.
"It is what it is – [there are] gonna be those people everywhere. Apologies to them, but I'm not going to stop my career or hold back that because of opinions.
![Matt Lodge of the Broncos looks on before the start of the round nine NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Bronco. Photo / Getty Images.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/FXDCSKXF2GNVGBEEOABYW67774.jpg?auth=3212e52a9a8b88a41383d797dba280139d5dea02a6b2bd3ca7e931d4aad83143&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
"I don't have to worry about that and I think the club and the owners from all reports are just worried about, playing good footy. It's a footy team, so that's it.
"Hopefully my performances can help them overlook that and I do well for the club."
The other unavoidable aspect of Lodge's arrival is his close relationship with Warriors' recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan, his father-in-law.