North Queensland Cowboys forward Matthew Lodge is closing in on an immediate transfer to the Super League, with the Leeds Rhinos marked as his next club.
The Sydney Morning herald is reporting the Cowboys have granted him a release from his contract, with the Rhinos identifying Lodge as a suitable option to bolster its forward pack ahead of the club's push for a Grand Final appearance.
It is understood his deal is only until the end of this current season, meaning he has a small window to impress before being tabled an extension.
Standing at 193cm and 110 kilograms, Lodge is a handful for defenders, but has been hampered by injuries at times during his career, halting his time on the paddock.
Lodge will add plenty of grunt to the Rhinos outfit, and with only being limited to 15 appearances for this year, mainly off the bench, it shapes as a good deal for both parties.
The NRL journeyman has played 148 NRL matches with stints at the Tigers, Broncos, Warriors, Roosters, Manly and the Cowboys since his debut in 2014.
Lodge was sacked by the Wests Tigers in late 2015 following an off-field charge in America and was handed 200 hours of community service when he returned to Australia after narrowly avoiding jail time.
He then kick-started his career three years later in Brisbane, where he has appeared in the NRL each year since his return.
If the 31-year-old gets extended beyond this year, he will also ease pressure on the club following the departure of Mikolaj Oledzki, who will make the move to the incoming Perth Bears for their maiden season.
It won't be the first time Lodge has experienced a switch in scenery mid-season, with the towering prop making the move to the Northern Beaches in the middle of 2023 from the Sydney Roosters.
Lodge played three seasons at Manly, the most consistent leg out of all the clubs he has played for since his four-season stint at the Broncos from 2018 to 2021.
The Rhinos sit on top of the Super League with one win separating them from second-placed Wigan Warriors.
The club's latest Grand Final win came in 2017, defeating Castleford Tigers 24-6 at Old Trafford, with the club closing in on replicating similar magic after a successful 2026 campaign.
There are five rounds remaining before the English play-offs in September.
