The Eels are set to drop out of the race for Matt Lodge's services, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.

It is believed that that the Warriors have thrown their hat in the ring for the Brisbane prop, who comes off contract at the end of next season.

The Warriors' deal is understood to be worth more than the Eels' and Broncos'.

Brisbane are facing a battle to retain their man, given Lodge's partner is the daughter of Warriors recruitment boss Peter O'Sullivan.

It is believed that the Broncos will also struggle to retain out-of-favour youngster Jayden Su'a, with links being made to the Rabbitohs.

Having stepped aside from the race for Lodge, Parramatta will now reportedly target emerging Storm prop Christian Welch.

The 24-year old has a player option in his current deal with Melbourne at the end of the season.

"I'm realistic. I understand in our game there is a salary cap and in an ideal world players would like to stay at their club and be one-club players, but there is restrictions on that," Welch told The Sydney Morning Herald in April.

"It's kind of weighing up whether there is more room to grow at another club and whether I've potentially reached my ceiling here."

5 COMMENTS

  1. Welch could be a good signing for the eels after the Blake signing. Having a forwards pack of Paulo Welch Brown would give them a good platform for Moses to work off. Shaun Lane is also developing nicely and Maโ€™u is starting to hit some form. They already have a good backline just need a few role players and one of the young halves to step up and Parra could start to look quite exciting

  2. My only issue with Welch is Players who leave the Storm system very rarely play as well at other clubs.
    I hear we are also talking to RCG who would be a very welcome addition to the squad.
    We have a awesome backline and a young spine that has plenty of talent.
    I know people knock Moses but he can only play off the platform the forwards lay and our forward pack is a little lacklustre at the moment.
    With the inclusion of Blake and a couple more good forwards we will be a top 4 team.

  3. Of course as an Easts supporter you would say this is a good try (helped by 2 former Manly players and a couple of former Souths players)
    Now have a look at the other 218 trys scored over the last 60 years -seen them all

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