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‘It never came right’: The heated pub clash that triggered Matt Lodge’s shock Warriors exit
A heated altercation between Matt Lodge and the owner of the New Zealand Warriors has been revealed as the reason behind the forward’s abrupt departure from the club.
Lodge was released from the final year of his contract last week amid claims he did not want to relocate to New Zealand with the team.
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The 26-year-old was also paid out to the tune of $700,000.
Now Warriors owner Mark Robinson has shed light on what triggered Lodge’s exit.
According to Robinson, the pair clashed at the Belvedere Hotel near Redcliffe late 2021.
“We had an argument in a hotel, two alpha males in a pub last December,” Robinson told the Daily Telegraph.
“Two days later we shook hands and moved on but it never came right.
“He was unhappy so I bought him out of his option for next year and we parted ways.
“He didn’t like the club and he obviously didn’t like playing for Mark Robinson.”
Pressed on what the disagreement was about Robinson remained tight-lipped.
“Just two men and attitude and whatever. It’s seven months ago.“There’s no bad blood with Matt Lodge at all.” he said.
Robinson did not dispute the payout figure and was adamant Lodge was entitled to it.
“It was a simple business transaction. He had an option for next season so he was entitled to a severance package, as would any employee out there who has a contract with their employer.”
Earlier in the week NRL360’s Paul Kent called on the NRL Integrity Unit to investigate the golden handshake.
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