Lodge's NYC rampage comes to light

Vision of controversial Brisbane prop's New York rampage has come to light as he prepares to make his NRL return next week.

Matt Lodge

Footage has aired of Matt Lodge's rampage through New York City. (AAP)

The NRL's decision to register Matt Lodge's contract has again come into question after footage of his New York rampage emerged.

A week out from Lodge making his first-grade return for Brisbane, several media outlets on Friday aired CCTV footage of the 120kg prop throwing wild haymakers and assaulting Joseph Cartright in his Manhattan apartment in October 2015.

The 1 minute 10 second video shows Lodge putting Cartright in a head lock before throwing a wine bottle at police.

It brings to light the disturbing incident for which Lodge pleaded guilty to a reckless assault charge and was ordered by a US civil court to pay $US1.234 million in damages.

His victim says he has yet to express remorse.

"We don't want to ruin his life," Mr Cartright told AAP.

"If rugby is his life then we would be ruining that. We have no interest in that. What we have interest in is taking responsibility for his actions."

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg earlier this week said Lodge was in discussion to repay his victims - a claim on Friday disputed by Cartright's lawyers.

"The NRL based its sanctions on the police charges which had seen Lodge out of the game for more than two years," an NRL spokesman said.

The spokesman also confirmed the governing body had seen the footage of Lodge assaulting his victims and took it into account when imposing his penalty.

On October 16 2015, Lodge followed and harassed a German tourist, telling her "This is the night you're going to die" before she rang Cartright's doorbell seeking refuge.

When Cartright allowed her in, Lodge forced his way into the apartment where Cartright's wife and nine-year-old son cowered in a bathroom.

Lodge punched a hole in the bathroom door before he was arrested at gunpoint by nine police officers.

The family said their son remained traumatised by the incident, for which Lodge was sacked by the Wests Tigers.

Brisbane attempted to have his contract registered last year however it was knocked back by the NRL and he was forced to play out the season in the Queensland Cup.

The 22-year-old has a disturbing rap sheet including in May 2014 being suspended for two games for writing "c***" on his wrist strapping during an under-20s State of Origin game.

In early 2015 he was stood down by the Tigers and fined $5000 for an altercation in Kings Cross.

In July that year he was banned by Penrith Junior Rugby League for the remainder of the year for his involvement in an incident alongside Andrew and David Fifita during a junior match.


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Source: AAP


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