Comeback trail: Former Wests Tigers forward Matthew Lodge trains with renowned sprint coach Roger Fabri. Credit:Peter Rae Lodge spent time in the notorious Rikers​ Island prison after he was arrested during a wild night in New York. After assaulting a man and allegedly telling the two women he stalked "this is the night that you die", he faced the very real prospect of spending another 25 years behind bars in the US. "It was going to lead to something like that happening, the direction I was going in," Lodge said. "I'm just lucky, with a bit of help from God, that I got out of that situation. That taught me a massive lesson. "People wouldn't understand how much that has woken me up."

The Tigers, who had already suspended Lodge following a series of alleged offences, tore up his contract. That was the least of his worries. If not for a deal cut between the US district attorney's office and his barrister, who he had kept busy during a short but eventful career, he may not have been allowed to return home. "I had a lot of changes going on at the time, especially last year," Lodge said. "I wasn't dealing with it right. It wasn't until everything was gone that I realised how easy it is to throw it all away, especially with everyone watching and waiting for you to do something bad." Already he has been sounded out about a return. Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett secretly met with Lodge last month to discus his future. There is certainly no physical impediment to his return. Despite the lengthy lay-off, he remains in good condition following resistance training sessions at Cato Rutherford's Lift Performance Centre. Roger Fabri has also been working with Lodge on "educated mechanics" ahead of the opening of the renowned sprint coach's Speed Agility Academy in coming months.

"He's certainly not the fastest bloke in the world, but he's got crazy power," Fabri said. "From what he's shown me in the early stages, he has a high work ethic, commitment and attention to detail. I'd like to see him in the mould of a Jesse Bromwich-type player – good footwork, high speed with some power." However, the 21-year-old realises there is more work to be done off the field before he can return on it. Part of the healing is reaching out to those he affected on that fateful night. "I've written a letter and apologised," Lodge said.

"What happened wasn't really me and I assured them that nothing like that will ever happen again, from my part to them or anyone else. I've learned a lot from it and if there's anything I can do to help [I will]." Lodge hasn't been idle since returning from the US. He has been helping out at a homeless shelter in Penrith, coaching St Patricks' under 16s side, undertaking a certificate three and four in fitness and completing a range of educational courses. "I've done a lot of rehab, I had to live at one [rehabilitation centre] for a month," he said. "I learned a lot in there and cleared a lot of head space, learned to deal with external pressures and stuff like that. "I've done a lot of community work and coaching the kids at St Pats. Their parents have never not trusted me because of what happened there, they have full faith that I will look after the boys and do whatever I can on and off the field.

"They are at the age where I could teach them a few things about how not to get into the situations I got myself in. Down the track that's something I can pass on to other players as well, once I've sorted myself out and gone good enough for long enough to get that trust from people. Definitely, I could offer some tips to young people just from having been there and done that kind of thing, having done the wrong thing. "Just show them ways how life can slowly lead you there without you even realising. I could definitely help some people out who are having a tough time, to get through that without having major issues or finding someone to talk to when they do have dramas. Because that's something I never had."