Brisbane Broncos games record-holder and board member Darren Lockyer has hosed down whispers that a player swap between Matt Lodge and David Klemmer could be looming.
The Mole this week reported that the camp of deregistered player agent Isaac Moses was trying to organise Brisbane front-rower Lodge and Newcastle prop Klemmer to trade jumpers.
But Lockyer says Lodge is still of interest to the Broncos because he's been playing "great footy" and insisted it was a key playmaker that Brisbane were desperate for.
"The club needs a key spine player, it doesn't need to be chasing middle forwards," Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports' QLDER.
"Matt Lodge has been playing great footy for the club so we hope he continues to do that. What happens beyond this year we don't know.
"The focus right now is to enhance the players in those key positions.(Halfback) Tyson Gamble - no disrespect to him, he's been going well and he's been doing a good job - but I think at the end of the day it's quite obvious that the club needs a player in the No.7 jersey that knows how to manage a game and win a game."
Lodge is contracted to the Broncos for 2022 and will be able to trigger player options for 2023 and 2024, meaning the former Tiger could remain at Brisbane for three years beyond this year if he triggers the option.
But despite the contractual situation, there's been talk over several months that Lodge clashes with new Broncos coach Kevin Walters and that Brisbane are looking to offload the 25-year-old.
Anthony Milford and Gamble will again partner each other in the halves as Brisbane face Manly in Magic Round on Friday, but Milford's contract expires at the end of this year and Brisbane have reportedly been sounding out a host of rival halfbacks.
South Sydney veteran Adam Reynolds, who Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett this week said would not be in red and green next year, appears to be the man Brisbane are most interested in.
Lockyer said Patrick Carrigan's season-ending ACL injury had presented young prop Tom Flegler a terrific opportunity to lock down a regular starting position in Brisbane's 17.
The 21-year-old hasn't started since Round Three but will do so against the Sea Eagles this week, albeit at lock.
"The other part to this story is with Carrigan going down with an ACL Flegler gets a start," Lockyer said.
"The opportunity for Flegler to start the game as a middle forward - he might not be wearing the 10 but he's in the 13 jersey. That plays a part in the puzzle, too."
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2021-brisbane-broncos-matt-lodge-david-klemmer-adam-reynolds/9b6135c9-8da3-4edf-810c-30cba922f11a
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