The NRL's gender advisor claims she has been blindsided by the league's handling of Matt Lodge's return and wants to raise the matter with the code's leaders.

Catharine Lumby, who has worked with the NRL since 2004 on cultural change and player education, has raised serious concern's over Lodge's return to first grade in Brisbane.

Controversial return: Matt Lodge with coach Wayne Bennett. Credit:AAP

Lodge's comeback for the Broncos on Thursday night threatens to overshadow the season-opener against St George Illawarra, after CCTV footage of his infamous 2015 New York rampage was released last week.

Lumby is not impressed.