Matt Lodge concedes he will likely have to leave Manly after the NRL finals to secure the long-term deal he craves.
Off-contract at the end of this year, Lodge's future remains up in the air after an injury-ravaged 15 months at Manly.
Initially close to securing an extension at the Sea Eagles earlier this season after returning from an ACL rupture, Lodge then missed three months with a ruptured bicep.
As things stand, the Sea Eagles are unlikely to offer Lodge anything beyond a one-year deal, with the 29-year-old ready to move elsewhere if a longer contract is available.
"Best-case scenario someone believes in me and does a couple-of-year deal," the prop said.
"But it's probably hard here, because since I got to Manly it's been an unlucky run.
"It's up in the air (where I end up) because I am not signed and the club (Manly) was talking about trying to make some room.
"I love it here.
"(But) at the end of the day people have got to understand I have four kids and have to pay the bills.
"I had a team in juniors and I played there my whole life. But this is different, it puts food on the table for the family and we put our bodies through a lot. "
Lodge has impressed for Manly in his two games back from injury.
He and Taniela Paseka were dominant up front against Canterbury a fortnight ago, and will be asked to repeat that intensity in Sunday's elimination final.
The front-rower was then also physical early against Cronulla on Sunday, before the Sea Eagles lost their way in the 40-20 loss.
"I was out of sight, out of mind I think. People forget you can play the game," Lodge said.
"Once I got myself healthy, I was pretty confident I can still go with the best in the front row.
"It's not been a great 12 months for me with a couple of unlucky injuries. But it's coming together at the right time.
"The bicep injury was probably a blessing in disguise, because it gave my knee time to heal properly, and get a bit more mobile."
Lodge also knows the next month represent a chance for him to make a statement as a player.
His name has long been synonymous with early-career off-field dramas, including a two-year stint out of the NRL.
However in recent years he has turned his life around as a father, and is now charged with helping spearhead Manly's pack for the finals.
"Big time (it's a chance for me to make a statement)," Lodge said.
"But I never want to make it about myself. My job is to set the tone and how we want to play next week.
"Everyone has their opinion, but it doesn't matter. We've got to go hard, and hopefully that's enough."
