Matt Lodge has an option in his favour for next season at the Broncos, but there is increasing speculation he is homesick and wants to return to Sydney.

Lodge was keen to join the Panthers when he last negotiated a deal — he is from western Sydney — but former Panthers boss Phil Gould advised him that he owed the Broncos because they stood by him during some tough times.

Lodge has been wanting to return home for some time.

We attempted to contact him for comment but he did not return calls.