Broncos coach Kevin Walters has reportedly denied that the club is selling striker Matt Lodge to competing teams in an attempt to advance him.
Lodge’s future has been under a cloud for months and the chaotic situation worsened on Sunday. According to reports, the club is ready to pay half of its contract if a competing club is ready to pick it up for a cheap price.
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The daily telegraph Dean Ritchie first announced that the Broncos have offered to pay $ 1.6 million of the $ 3.2 million remaining on Lodge’s four-year contract through the end of the 2024 season.
A club recruiter reportedly told the newspaper it was “unbelievable” that the Broncos would be willing to pay such a high price just to get rid of the props up front.
Walters has denied the swirling rumors surrounding Lodge since he was officially appointed coach – and he continued to oppose reports on Monday.
When asked if Lodge will play for the club in Round 1 next year, Walters told Sky Sports Radio, “He sure will. He’s training with us again now. He looks pretty good.
“He was very impressive in his first few weeks and the first week of training.
“I’m not sure where this is coming from, but he’ll be here for the first round next year.”
Walters also turned down reports last month that former Queensland striker Joe Ofahengaue was about to be fired from his Broncos contract to join the Wests Tigers.
Ofahengaue signed with the Tigers just a few days later.
The Broncos also managed to get Cowboys striker John Asiata signed as part of a dramatic makeover to Walters’ forward pack.
Since the end of the 2020 season, the Broncos have said goodbye to Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), Jack Bird (St. George Illawarra) and David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans) as part of the cleanup.
CAMERON SMITH TO SEND PERFECTLY WITH TITANS
Cameron Smith is still keeping the NRL world busy, even as the clubs return to pre-season training last week.
The 37-year-old is officially out of work after his contract with Melbourne Storm expired last month – and has yet to announce if he will return for a final season.
Swirling rumors and speculation continue to suggest that Smith played his last game with the Storm and is reportedly considering one final season with the Gold Coast Titans.
Phil Rothfield of the Daily Telegraph said Monday the Titans could pull off a double-signature coup by picking up Smith for a final year before swapping him for Storm Utility Brandon Smith for the 2022 season.
Brandon Smith will be signed to the Storm for 2021, but the Storm is reportedly open to letting him go – under a player trade agreement – following the club’s decision to make Harry Grant the # 9 first choice for next year .
Rothfield says it all adds up to the titans closing deals for both Smiths.
“I have a feeling Cameron Smith will be playing for the Gold Coast Titans next year,” he told Sky Sports Radio.
“Goodbye for a year. And what a good story it would be if he could bring her to the finals with her other new signings. And after a year he will be replaced by Brandon Smith. That’s just a theory that I have.
“With Bryce Cartwright’s money, they still have $ 650,000 to $ 700,000 in the upper limit. If young (Nathan) peat species go, they don’t have a hooker. Cameron lives on the Gold Coast. “
“He didn’t wake up and said I had enough. So he didn’t make a decision.
“Christ, it would be a good story.”
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