Leeds Rhinos have announced the signing of NRL veteran (or journeyman, take your pick) Matt Lodge for the remainder of the season. When asked, Brad Arthur didn’t rule out the 31 year old staying on next season, while his agent categorically gave the opposite declaration. Cheers lads, glad that’s cleared up.

Sporting director Ian Blease has previously mentioned his preference for leaving some room on the salary cap for mid season signings, which has allowed Leeds to strengthen where they need it heading into the playoffs. It’s clear that the pack was the correct option here, but what do they need, and is Matt Lodge the answer?

Cast your minds back to a warm night at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. Leeds showed the resolve and clinicality they could be said to have been lacking a week later to fend off 2nd place. But they did trail by 20 points to 6 in the first half- that did happen. And Wakefield got there by blasting through the centre of the Rhinos, with the help of Caius Faatili. The ‘big bopper’ came on and caused havoc, assisting two tries as well as skittling a number of Leeds forwards, helping create opportunities in following tackles.

For one of the first times this year Leeds’ forward pack was being dominated, and it left the distinct impression that the Rhinos were missing a player in the mold of Faatili. Most of the top teams in the competition have one, but not those in first. Caius Faatili for Wakefield, Patrick Mago for Wigan. Hull FC have Herman Ese-Ese AND Sam Lisone- maybe 1 is the goldilocks number. The former was reportedly one of Leeds’ preferred options before they landed the signing of Lodge, and the latter was previously of their parish. Leeds have made little secret since that they planned to have Lisone in their squad this year, but couldn’t compete on salary with the recently cash rich Hull club. 

That is a big gap to fill in a squad, the ‘big bopper’ role is a unique one and cannot be filled by any old workmanlike prop, even if they do have an unfortunate penchant for violence. Leeds trying to sign Ese Ese and Braden Hamlin-Uele before ultimately settling for Lodge shows that they wanted to to fill this gap, whether Lodge does that is up for debate. 

As of now, Lodge is only in West Yorkshire until the end of the season. That gives Leeds more depth in the pack heading into the play offs while giving them the chance to find a more ample solution for the coming season. But they are still without a skittling Lisone-like prop for the play offs. Wigan have one, Wakefield have one. Leeds do not.