The major sponsor of the Brisbane Broncos is "deeply saddened by the long-term impact" of Matt Lodge's New York rampage but has declined to weigh in on the front-rower's failure to begin paying damages to the four victims of the 2015 incident.

Lodge made his first appearance in the top grade for the Broncos in a trial against Gold Coast Titans at Toowoomba on Saturday night, drawing closer to resuming a 12-match NRL career that was abruptly halted when he was arrested at gunpoint in the United States three years ago.

Long, hard road: Matt Lodge will not be forced by the NRL to pay damages on the basis that the governing body will not interfere in a civil matter. Credit:AAP

The 22-year-old spent time in Rikers Island jail after the terrifying home invasion but was ultimately given a conditional discharge by a New York court as part of a plea deal that included completing community service and undertaking treatment for anger and alcohol management.

However, after a lawsuit brought against him by the victims of the night of rage, he was ordered by a US District Court judge to pay them $US1.234 million ($1.56 million) in damages.