Matt Lodge New York thread

[ryanda01]

This is a real tragedy and not just for young Lodge. Imagine how his poor parents must be feeling. Good chance of their son doing some time even with the plea bargain and then there's the lawsuit seeking millions. Great Christmas the family must be having. Is the NRL providing any support, counselling etc for the family? I assume we aren't.

If I went on a rampage like Lodge did and threatened peoples lives, busted into a home with a scared little kid inside it and got arrested I wouldn't expect nor get any counselling for my family from my employer.

A lot of companies have independent third party organisations to outsource this to. It's not unfamiliar.

However mental health isn't anything to be pushed under the carpet. Really need help.

 

[softlaw]

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Sacked Wests Tigers forward Matthew Lodge, who faced 25years in a US prison after being arrested in New York last October, has been back in Australia since Christmas Eve.

Upon Lodge's return to Sydney, barrister Julieanne Levick presented the former NRL player to Waverley police station, where he was arrested and spent a night in the Surry Hills holding cells for a charge relating to an allegation of domestic violence. After initially being denied police bail he was home for Christmas lunch.

The 20-year-old spent time in the infamous Rikers Island prison when he was arrested during a holiday in New York after allegedly telling two women during a night out: "This is the night you die," before allegedly assaulting a man who came to their aid and then allegedly trashing an apartment.

Troubled times: Matthew Lodge still hopes to pursue a career in the NRL.
Troubled times: Matthew Lodge still hopes to pursue a career in the NRL. Photo: Getty Images

Lodge was separated from his group of friends and due to a combination of alcohol and prescription pharmaceuticals has said he was unable to remember anything about allegedly stalkingthe two women down West End Avenue.

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He faced a possible long prison sentence after his charges of criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, assault and menacing were upgraded by the New York District Attorney to felony counts of burglary in the first degree and burglary in the second degree.

However, Lodge was allowed by American authorities to return to Australia on Christmas Eve after his Sydney barrister, Levick, worked in conjunction with the USAttorney's office.

She was successful in having his serious indictable charges downgraded to misdemeanours after the former junior Kangaroo participated in community service by working at a soup kitchen, attending a rehabilitation program and undertaking ongoing counselling. Upon his arrest in the US it was revealed he was temporarily stood down by the Tigers in August, but not sacked, over an alleged domestic violence incident.

He was fined by the club for an incident in Kings Cross earlier in the year and in July he was banned from attending any Penrith junior league matches — he was assistant coach of a team — for the rest of 2015.

He was admitted into full-time residential rehabilitation soon after his return to Australia and The Sun-Herald understands Lodge has responded so well to the therapy he is permitted to train of a morning in a gymnasium before the start of sessions.

Apart from the course, Lodge has continued with his US-imposed community service by working in a western Sydney kitchen that feeds the homeless. The alleged domestic violence matter is next before the court in February.

It is understood Lodge, who is believed to have been in negotiations with Penrith before his New York trip, still hopes to be able to pursue his NRL career.

Lodge was also grateful to the Rugby League Player's Association who ensured he received help after concern for his welfare following the arrest in America.
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/wests-tigers/sacked-wests-tiger-matt-lodge-back-in-australia-after-new-york-arrest-20160123-gmciug.html#ixzz3y3xV8BxB
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[TrueTiger]

Great to see the young bloke heading in the right direction….still a long way to go,but is at least having a fairdinkum go..

 

[Guest]

Great to see the young bloke heading in the right direction….still a long way to go,but is at least having a fairdinkum go..

He doesn't have much choice tbh. He's always going to have issues.

 

[happy_tiger]

There is no way the NRL should be endorsing Lodge for at least two seasons of proving he can keep his nose clean

And when the 2 seasons is over the Roosters will sign him for second tier bucks and he will become a SOO player

isn't that how it works ??

 

[GNR4LIFE]

There is no way the NRL should be endorsing Lodge for at least two seasons of proving he can keep his nose clean

And when the 2 seasons is over the Roosters will sign him for second tier bucks and he will become a SOO player

isn't that how it works ??

Why would the Roosters want him. This guy's even more over hyped than Siro. The Roosters don't concern themselves with reserve graders.

 

[happy_tiger]

There is no way the NRL should be endorsing Lodge for at least two seasons of proving he can keep his nose clean

And when the 2 seasons is over the Roosters will sign him for second tier bucks and he will become a SOO player

isn't that how it works ??

Why would the Roosters want him. This guy's even more over hyped than Siro. The Roosters don't concern themselves with reserve graders.

Yeah Lodge probably isn't a good example

But blokes like Carney and Ferguson are and the clubs who put the time and effort into them but just couldn't control them lose out

Lodge needs to prove us without doubt he is mentally stable in any situation before his NRL career can continue

 

[TrueTiger]

Great to see the young bloke heading in the right direction….still a long way to go,but is at least having a fairdinkum go..

He doesn't have much choice tbh. He's always going to have issues.

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It does appear that he will have issues,however,if he has the right help and medication for his mental illness,he could well turn the corner,not just for himself but everyone around him especially his parents..I hope he can,only because I hate to see talent wasted when some people try their very best and can't reach the heights that others can..

 

[Demps]

Wait….
We had him signed untill.... 2017?
But he was in talks with Penrith?

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

I don't like the Penrith connection. But if the grog is his only curse then a 100% tea-totaller can cure him. Easier said then done, must change not only his attitude but all his drinking mates and friends. Not easily done in Aussie drink culture.

 

[Nelson]

I don't like the Penrith connection. But if the grog is his only curse then a 100% tea-totaller can cure him. Easier said then done, must change not only his attitude but all his drinking mates and friends. Not easily done in Aussie drink culture.

History suggests that alcohol is not his sole problem so teetotalism is not going to be the complete answer for him. At the least he has some serious anger management issues that also need to be dealt with. Reports also suggested that he was using prescription medication in combination with alcohol when he went on his US rampage. He might grow out of being a complete douchebag with time but I doubt that will be soon enough to allow him to have any real career in the NRL.

 

[Newtown]

I don't like the Penrith connection. But if the grog is his only curse then a 100% tea-totaller can cure him. Easier said then done, must change not only his attitude but all his drinking mates and friends. Not easily done in Aussie drink culture.

History suggests that alcohol is not his sole problem so teetotalism is not going to be the complete answer for him. At the least he has some serious anger management issues that also need to be dealt with. Reports also suggested that he was using prescription medication in combination with alcohol when he went on his US rampage. He might grow out of being a complete douchebag with time but I doubt that will be soon enough to allow him to have any real career in the NRL.

At 20 years old it's not to late for him to start on a new career other than rugby league. Working 5 days a week would help to concentrate on something other than getting into trouble. It would do him the world of good.

 

[sheer64]

Cant believe this guy is not in jail. Someone paid some big bucks!

 

[bp_tiger]

heard on the grape vine that lodge and willis meehan have signed to play A- GRADE for st pats in the penrith local comp. has anyone heard this.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

Cant believe this guy is not in jail. Someone paid some big bucks!

I had a drunk come into my house once and collapsed on the balcony on a banana chair, didn't have a clue where he was or what was doing. I think Lodge is in the same category. Strictly speaking what would be achieved by locking him up where he could possibly come under more evil influences. Strictly speaking he is sick. He needs anger management and grog management. The society got in the grog culture they are also to blame. Yes, make him doing some community work but more importantly make him stay on a strict tee-totaller regime even with ankle bracelets and prevented from meeting drinking mates etc. Yes big brother and nanny society but it costs a fortune to imprison someone. In USA is actually cheaper to send them to college so they stop getting locked up - so that is what they are doing. Now some crims are committing crime to get a free uni education. Stranger things may occur but how often???

 

[Newtown]

heard on the grape vine that lodge and willis meehan have signed to play A- GRADE for st pats in the penrith local comp. has anyone heard this.

Maybe Lodge forming a tennis doubles team with Nick Kyrgios?

 

[Geo]

Cant believe this guy is not in jail. Someone paid some big bucks!

Lucky boy..

 

[Tigermama]

Cant believe this guy is not in jail. Someone paid some big bucks!

His criminal lawyer cost big bucks. Not sure if any other moneys was paid privately. The Americans would've been glad to get rid of him. Lodge doing time there, would've cost their tax payers alot of $$$. Their prisons are chocker block full as it is.

 

[LCA]

Cant believe this guy is not in jail. Someone paid some big bucks!

What a simplistic, rubbish comment. I know nothing about you but maybe you should be locked up too. Disgraceful.

 

[stryker]

Cant believe this guy is not in jail. Someone paid some big bucks!

What a simplistic, rubbish comment. I know nothing about you but maybe you should be locked up too. Disgraceful.

I see nothing wrong with his comment. The guy seems very lucky to escape given what he did and where he did it. What is so "rubbish and disgraceful" about what he posted?