[ad_1]
Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images
The Warriors insist they haven’t had any conversations with Matt Lodge about joining the club.
The Warriors have dismissed reports that they are close to signing Matt Lodge from the Broncos.
In recent days, various media outlets have said that the club is interested in the 25-year-old mainstay with a multi-million dollar three-year contract.
However, Warriors recruiting and development manager Peter O’Sullivan told Stuff on Sunday the reports couldn’t be further from the truth.
“I have no idea where all the speculation has come from,” O’Sullivan said.
READ MORE:
* The Warriors are not getting carried away by the 2021 NRL draw with big decisions to come
* NRL 2021 Draw: Five must-see games for the Warriors at the start of a new era
* The Warriors sign Bayley Sironen, son of tough league player Paul, to a three-year contract from South Sydney
* Phil Gould gave permission to join Warriors in NZ, but cannot get the coupon
“Neither I nor anyone from the club have spoken to Matt or his manager about any offer to come to the Warriors.
“It is pure speculation and I have no idea where it started.”
The Warriors have plenty of players in the middle next season, with Addin Fonua-Blake, Kane Evans and Ben Murdoch-Masila all joining the club for 2021 and beyond.
Chris McKeen / Stuff
Peter O’Sullivan says the Warriors have filled all 30 spots on their list for next season.
“We’re fine for our media, obviously when we signed Addin, that shut us down in that department,” O’Sullivan said.
“It is not something we have talked about and right now, our places are full.
“So it’s complete garbage and I have no idea who is feeding it, where it comes from, but certainly nothing comes from my end, or Matthew’s end.”
The Warriors have all 30 spots on their roster taken for next season, so the only way the club could bring in someone would be if they could trade one of their current players.
Meanwhile, Warriors coach Nathan Brown also recently shut down reports that they are speaking with Melbourne Storm’s Jahrome Hughes about a move to the club for 2022, when the playmaker exits his current contract.
“I can honestly say that we haven’t spoken to Jahrome Hughes,” Brown said. Triple M rush hour with MG.
“What a great player, he has been outstanding, but we have a lot of confidence in young Chanel Harris-Tavita, he played with ‘Mooksy’ (Stephen Kearney) and played around 30 games and Kodi Nikorima also had his best year last year.”
The Warriors have Harris-Tavita secured through the end of the 2022 season.
Nikorima has an option in his favor for 2022 and until he indicates that he will not accept that option, the club will not seriously look for another experienced medium.
