NRL star supports Paul Gallen v Matt Lodge blockbuster after $1MILLION call-out

Matt Lodge has made his case for a blockbuster fight with Paul Gallen and NRL enforcer Aaron Woods is certainly supportive of a clash between the two bitter rivals. 

Gallen beat both Ben Hannant and Justin Hodges on the same night last week and, with one fight remaining on his contract with No Limit boxing, Lodge has thrown his hat in the ring to be the 40-year-old’s dance partner in his swansong. 

The Roosters prop insists that money is not the driving force behind his interest in a December showdown, demanding that $1million be raised on a GoFundMe page, with the funds donated to a youth program in his native Western Sydney.

‘I’ve been asked to fight, multiple times. I’m sure everyone would love to see nothing more than me get in the ring,’ Lodge wrote in a statement on Instagram. 

‘Last week Paul Gallen said he would ‘smash any current NRL player’ and wants to do so for his last fight.

‘Well, after a lot of thinking, I’m willing to give 99 per cent of the people what they want. I’ll jump in the ring with the best boxer rugby league has and give him his grand finale.

‘Whenever he wants, as many rounds as he wants. Bankwest Stadium or Northies I don’t really care, you choose. But I don’t box, I’m a footy player so I’m sure as hell not doing it without a purpose – and I don’t want a single dollar for it.

‘Instead I want everyone to throw in what they can afford, get the popcorn out, sit on the lounge and enjoy, I want to donate it all to a good cause.’

Gallen was triumphant last week when he defeated Justin Hodges and Ben Hannant 

The 40-year-old has one fight left on his deal with No Limits and is eyeing a December fight

Fellow front rower Woods has labelled the potential fight a ‘promoter’s dream’, joking that the nation is desperate to see Lodge get beaten up by Gallen. 

‘This could be a promoter’s dream, everyone in Australia wants to see Lodgey’s head punched in, we know why he has had a few indiscretions in the past,’ Woods said on Triple M.

‘He comes across and tries to be a big tough bloke on the field, he hid behind Waerea-Hargreaves on the field.

‘He milked penalties when he was at the Warriors and won them the game, this is his opportunity to try and stand up and be a toughie.

‘And he has came up against one of the toughest blokes to ever put a glove on… Gallen is always the villain.

‘We could all be behind Gal for once to see Lodge get his head punched in…. how many people would want to see him get his head punched in, he can’t even make the Prime Minister’s squad at the moment.’

But Gallen says Lodge can donate the $700,000 payout he received from the Warriors rather than demanding the public donate $1million to a GoFundMe page

NRL enforcer Aaron Woods has thrown his support behind a Gallen vs Lodge blockbuster

Gallen blasted Lodge’s call-out and demanded that the Roosters star donate the $700,000 payout he received from the Warriors before joining the Sydney side rather than asking the public to donate money.

‘He wants to raise money does he?’ Gallen told Wide World of Sports. ‘So once again he’s actually doing nothing. Once again he’s looking for other people to donate their hard earned money to make him look good.

‘If he really wants to donate money and cares for these people, donate the money he’s not working hard to earn, he’s getting $700,000 off the Warriors, donate that to a good cause,’ Gallen said.

‘Prove how much you want to help people. Don’t use other people’s hard-earned money, don’t use my profile.

‘You do something yourself. You get up off your back. Everything I’ve heard him say he’s doing absolutely nothing. He’s asking other people to donate money, $1 million, and he’ll fight me. Shut up mate.’