#79 Matt Lodge | The Bye Round with James Graham

This week Jimmy is joined by one of the best front rowers in the game Matt Lodge. Matt opens up for the first time on the struggles he faced returning to the NRL, the guilt he felt after the New York incident, his recovery from his ACL injury & explains how Wayne Bennett helped him get back to the NRL.
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0:00 Second Chances
11:45 Knee Injury
19:08 Growing Up In Western Sydney
23:45 Melbourne Storm U/20s
29:03 New York Incident
44:45 The Year After
55:56 Wayne Bennett
1:10:05 Return To The NRL
1:14:28 Anthony Seibold
1:19:20 NZ Warriors
1:29:10 Off-Field Work
1:32:41 Footy Aspirations
1:41:00 Dream Spine
1:43:34 Jimmy’s Three Questions

[@The__BLOCKSTAR]

awesome episode, i was sceptical when manly signed him but after watching this i can't wait for him to get fit and rip in for the mighty maroon and white! LETS GO LODGEY

[@dommorete8850]

Thank you men. Thank you Lodgey for sharing your story (so far) and to James for being the perfect person to conduct the interview. Big respect to you both. Keep shining gentleman.

[@lellamas2778]

People make mistakes. They can go to dark places and cause harm. Sometimes these mistakes can come back to mentally haunt an individual - with internal conflict of an individual doing more harm than any outsider. People who find redemption - and forgiveness ESPECIALLY from THEMSELVES - can use this experience as a force for good in sharing their wisdom with greater humanity!

[@brendanalder8293]

Good on him for being honest and opening up to issues in the past. Wishing him the best moving forward

[@robcousins231]

Great interview Jammer and Matt. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance, especially for something like this. As long as you own it, which Matt has done. You can see the emotion at 58:20 when he talks about Wayne giving him his 2nd chance. Very well handled Jammer, you played a blinder in this interview.

[@kieraaanbreeew]

Patties are we ready ready !! so glad you got him on jimmy been asking for ages

[@faustoalcuri8402]

Gratitude and forgiveness very powerful.

[@RicONeill1964]

Superb; 2 honourable men being honest. I had never heard Matt Lodge speak before; not the bad guy I was too ready to believe he was. Didn’t know about the sleeping pills, or the potential jet lag effects but he took responsibility. On so many levels, this was impressive. The fact Matt was willing to trust Jammer for this just confirms everything I already thought I knew about him, too. Remember his Saints’ debut (Cockney RL fanatic). I was almost 40; all I did was blink.

[@mycgkk1236]

Congrats Matt Lodge - the humiliation that you have worked your way through - I think you are an inspiration; a great example for the many that tumble - and learn how to not again. I hope you push for S.O.O. this year.

[@coreyjohnston9195]

Really a guy that went to America and did a home invasion 😂 alrighto champ

[@mycgkk1236]

@@coreyjohnston9195 - oh you have never made a mistake etc - sounds like you are the champ, or an inexperienced baby - damp corey.

[@coreyjohnston9195]

​@@mycgkk1236I haven't tied up a family.

[@coreyjohnston9195]

​@@mycgkk1236says more about you to even idolise such a shit person.

[@mycgkk1236]

@@coreyjohnston9195 - fella there is an infinite number of things you have not done. The thing here is about a bloke, that for a multitude of reasons made a big mistake - in front of many people. He has owned up - to learn why and why not - not repeat the same crimes - and come back to that he knows. He is not off in a bottle somewhere, or blaming the world for his misfortune - he is out and trying to live his best life - a far better person. 100% he has earned my respect; and I wish him all the best with his footy - and I think he will deliver a bumper (rep worthy) season.

[@emma00b]

another fantastic guest

[@shiresmokersbbq8704]

Hi James, Just a short note to say what a great episode. It’s awesome that there is someone out there where these ‘maligned’ players can tell there story. Knowing the full extent of the mistake now. I hope people get a better understanding.

[@allworldmusic8270]

Great interview, and has really helped me with a problem I am having, thank you.

[@Dumelow077]

Apologies if I ever passed judgement on your career. What a great insight into your life

[@mustacheoneday]

Good luck to you, lodgey; hopefully, you have a few luckier seasons with injury ahead.

[@matthewdawson2787]

Great episode. Matt, wish you and your family all the best. Hope the season at Manly goes well, and still hope to see you in a Blues jersey one day. We all make mistakes, but very few turn their lives around. Congratulations, Matt.

[@Scobies1960]

Everyone should be afforded the ability to make amends and he has surely done so.

[@nickmilan2739]

Great episode!

[@popeyeunleashed]

One of the best episodes to date Most people deserve second chances and lodge absolutely does.

[@johnbrown6842]

Great job lodgey, people can see the great side of ya, you still pull the hand brake bra ❤️

[@usarugbyleagueunionfan]

I thought this guy was the biggest monster forever. What he did was wrong. Yet, you can defo see the pain and hurt in his body language. He did the right thing in the end. I remember reading about this a few years back. Being that I’m a League fan and this happened in USA. So important having a Father in your life. His Dad was amazing. Despite some of the comments I really appreciate you Jammer interviewing him. I’ll see you Jammer in a few weeks in Vegas. Ha

[@user-gy7gs4hm5p]

your a star lodgie come back to nz anytime kia kaha

[@etiuateveamatahau3502]

Fifita boys aren’t lying about the cross country lol They were fit af (and skinny af too) as teens hahah

[@jackohere1878]

Great PR for Lodge who can certainly talk the talk as good as any politician but lets be real he should still be jail. How he managed to escape serious jail time is still a mystery but it is what it is

[@dddd-ng5yq]

Money keeps the crooks out of jail and his mum and dad are both cops

[@CamElRodriguezSnrJnrIII]

Shoulda took a eccy to level yaself out Lodgeman

[@plc2866]

Wait for it Manly… the drama is coming! It’ll cost ya.

[@Mrwhippy456]

Cmon Jimmy ya pommie is tart

[@YouChwb]

Congrats, you've just had a stroke.

[@sinkfulloffish7342]

Disappointed you had this flog on your podcast Jimmy. You can do so much better with guests.

[@dddd-ng5yq]

Tedseco is a ball hog... like it or not it's true

[@spindoctor69s]

Yeah, no thanks. Must be struggling for guests.

[@sinkfulloffish7342]

Disliked

[@isaiahcoe6532]

Disgusting

[@sallymay24]

Skip no thanks And just for the record 30 seconds in it’s not his second chance try 4th or 5th The smug smile he has from the first minute is gross …just no

[@x_lyja]

Actually Watch the interview and then make an assessment

[@liambarlow656]

Why would you interview this guy? Surely there are much better examples out there to hear from. Yes we all make mistakes but this is not one that should be just swept under the rug because he’s a footballer. The guy should have been locked up for a long time. Rant over

[@christiandent7211]

Absolutely not interested in listening to Matt Lodge.

[@aidanlikestocomedy]

Cool don’t watch then

[@martinhollings]

Do one then buddy.

[@faustoalcuri8402]

Go watch golf you sound precious.

[@christiandent7211]

@@aidanlikestocomedy im not?

[@okusfayreno8599]

Good on ya Christian 😂 no one knows who you are bud

[@azman5267]

All respect for Jimmy has been lost with giving this man a platform to speak. Outrageous, whos next Curtis Scott? Massively Dislike this video

[@azman5267]

@@sofiamaddix8821 Everyone deserves a chance? Are you serious about this bloke? He's lucky to not be in jail. Shows more of your character than mine to defend him

[@eb0r]

I don't like Matt Lodge at all, but I see no problem with Graham letting him speak on the controversies.

[@ethanwillis6970]

There was a 2 hour interview with Putin and an American journalist the other day - the levels of dislike and disdain for Putin is strasopheres above what Lodge gets and deserves, yet we get a chance to hear what he has to say for himself and his actions (for what it's worth). I don't think it's a big deal for Graham to get Lodge on here to put his side out there, whether you believe/support it or not it doesn't really matter, and getting to know your "enemies" isn't a bad thing sometimes.

[@ethanward6084]

Damn if only your opinion meant something

[@azman5267]

Genuinely can’t believe people are defending giving this person a platform

[@rashneelwalla380]

Blah blah footy players are never wrong. Gronks