Incoming Broncos coach Kevin Walters is set to make some big changes to the roster and prop Matt Lodge is in the line of fire.
Walters vowed over the weekend that he would revamp the club’s culture, hinting that the roster should be dramatically jumbled up to suit the style of play he wants to coach.
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Kevvie to make “big changes”
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Walters has been telling the story ever since The daily telegraph Paul Kent that he will seek to develop big names and high earners, with Lodge being one of those who are looked at.
“There will be some changes next year,” he said The telegraph.
“There will be some big changes, not just small changes.
“It won’t be player 25 or 26 or 27, but the other end as well.”
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Kent told NRL360 On Monday, he asked Walters specifically about Lodge, which the former Queensland Origin manager said he would “have a conversation with and evaluate”.
It’s a dramatic crash for Lodge.
Axed Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold joined the 25-year-old as the club’s next captain two seasons ago, and earlier this year NSW coach Brad Fittler announced Lodge was on his radar.
But there is a small hurdle to overcome if Walters should help him or some other big-name players. Lodge signed a new deal with the Broncos last year that would keep him at Red Hill until the end of 2022.
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The telegraph Phil Rothfield asked Kent how the Broncos could manage the move.
“How does he do that? They are all under contract, ”he said.
“You just go and do it,” replied Kent. “You are doing what the warriors did. They went out and wanted a tough, die-hard front rower. You picked Addin Fonua-Blake, but he still had two years to get his deal signed … it didn’t matter. “
“It’s negotiation, contracts mean nothing these days. You mean nothing when you can bargain. You have to be smart, and that’s what the Broncos have to do. “
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