Jeers have turned to cheers for Matt Lodge after earning NRL redemption at Brisbane.
And the controversial prop says the Broncos' fans acceptance helped convince him to stay at Red Hill and sign a new two-year deal.
Twelve months ago Lodge felt like public enemy No.1 after an uproar over him being thrown a 2018 NRL lifeline by Brisbane in the wake of an infamous drunken rampage in New York in 2015.
The damaging forward even copped boos from the crowd every time he touched the ball on Broncos debut in round one.
However, Lodge said he now felt at home at Red Hill after opting not to follow the man who gave him his chance - Wayne Bennett - to South Sydney.
"Thank you (members and fans) for getting behind me - it was a massive part of why I made the decision to stay in Brisbane," Lodge said.
Ex-Rabbitohs mentor Anthony Seibold now holds the reins at the Broncos, but Lodge never considered following Bennett because he felt he owed the club for turning his career - and life - around.
"I took the coaching situation (Bennett's exit) out of it," he said.
"Brisbane got behind me - the members and fans - it was not just the coach.
"It was everyone from the top down who helped me out."
In a stunning comeback, ex-Wests Tigers prop Lodge played all 25 of Brisbane's games in 2018 and was awarded the club's forward of the year honour.
The accolades have kept coming with Lodge, 23, recently named in a NSW Emerging Origin squad.
Lodge was proud of how far he had come, but still believed he had plenty to prove on the field.
"I believe when you have nothing you appreciate everything that comes your way - I am grateful for this opportunity," he said.
"It (new deal) has been something I have worked towards for a long time. I wasn't ready to leave. Now I have to lead the way."
Lodge hoped to now get into the ear of Brisbane's remaining off-contract star, fellow forward Tevita Pangai Junior, after winger Corey Oates pledged his future at Red Hill with a one year deal this week.
"Tevita won't leave without me. I won't let him," Lodge laughed.
"We need to step up even more next year with Josh McGuire (at North Queensland) and Sam Thaiday (retired) gone,
"If we have a dud of a season we won't go too good."
Broncos CEO Paul White welcomed Lodge's good news after a nightmare period capped by Bennett's sacking.
"We applaud what he has achieved and we welcome what is to come in the years ahead," he said.
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