As we approach the magic August 1 deadline, NRL rosters for 2023 finalise and become locked in.
Inevitably this play a role in deciding where players land for the next year and beyond.
It often leads to players suddenly becoming available also, which seems as if it could be the case for Roosters prop Matt Lodge.
He announced during the week that he would not be in the tri-colours for 2024, which should kick off a chase for his services.
Below are five potential landing spots for Matt Lodge.
2. Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks are a side one big move away from becoming a genuine Premiership threat. That is the general thinking anyway.
The Sharks are a side who are absolutely screaming out for a metre eating, aggressive prop to lead their underperforming engine room.
Matt Lodge is, by far, the best option that is currently available - at least on field.
Craig Fitzgibbon is on record as saying he is happy with what he has within the club and has routinely stated he is looking for good guys first then good footballers.
Obviously Lodge's past is going to come up whenever his name is mentioned, and for good reason.
This may disqualify him from being discussed in the Shire but in terms of pure footballing ability, he would be a huge asset.
I'd go so far as to say if Lodge didn't have any off-field issues in the past that he'd have already toured the Sharks facilities and would be deep in talks.
Matt Lodge is only just 28, so I’d think he’d have three good years (injury allowing) before his performance tails off. I know nothing about Warrington and Super League, so I’ll ignore them.
Newcastle have been worse off for losing Klemmer, and Isuspect that they have already realised that letting him go was a bad move. I think that if they can scrape up the cap-space then Matt may head up the M1.
Lodge could provide the aggression & oomph that current Sharks forwards donโt have.