Matt Lodge's sensational departure from the NZ Warriors has taken yet another turn, with the prop refuting earlier reports it was prompted by an argument he had with club owner Mark Robinson.
It comes after confirmation on Thursday the club had bought out the rest of Lodge's contract, and allowed him to leave the NRL side immediately.
CEO Cameron George confirmed a disagreement between Robinson and Lodge had occurred, and played a "big part" behind his departure, which took place in December last year.
But Lodge insists that's not what happened.
"There was no argument," Lodge told the Courier Mail. "I said nothing back. I left the venue and ended up driving home."
Robinson had previously stated the two had clashed, and that it was something neither party could move on from.
"We had an argument in a hotel, two alpha males in a pub last December," Robinson told the Daily Telegraph.
"Two days later we shook hands and moved on, but it never came right. He didn’t like the club and he obviously didn’t like playing for Mark Robinson."
Lodge has denied that version of events.
"There was nothing 'alpha' about me there that night. I’ve learnt over time that gets you nowhere.
"I offered to meet the next day when Mark was sober for a man-to-man conversation. It’s how I would rather it was settled but he never got around to sitting down with me."
While what was said remains a mystery, the Warriors have no choice but to pick up the pieces without Lodge as they look to get their season back on track.
But with star forward Addin Fonua-Blake out injured, former Kiwis captain and rugby league commentator Richie Barnett believes wins will be hard to come by without the pair.
"I can't see it happening to be honest. Losing two front rowers, they're struggling to win games with them. Unless they change the way they play, if they're trying to work through the middle it's going to be more difficult. I think they have to adopt a different stance," he said.
"It's all based on results, it's all based on your performance. Losing two props in the way that they have with Addin's injury, but with Lodge walking out of the club, it's not a good look."
Barnett believes the Matt Lodge-shaped hole left in next year's salary cap is a huge blow and fans deserve answers.
"It's a difficult situation.The salary cap is everything with a club that struggles. It's a major issue," he said.
"There is so much uncertainty and nothing coming out from it to justify why this happened. there was no clear message to the public and to the supporters.
"All we heard was he's no longer going to sign, that it's still part of their salary cap issue for this year and next year. There's another challenge for the club to attract another player to fill that void."
Even though Robinson didn't dispute the $700,00 payout, the club insists it won't hurt them next season.
"It's something we're very comfortable with and it sits well within our salary cap within the next season and a half," George said.
