LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Sea Eagles veteran Matt Lodge has evaded a charge for a tackle that left Brandon Smith potentially facing a significant injury.
Reports indicate that Smith, who recently joined South Sydney after his previous stint with the Roosters, suffered suspected medial ligament damage to his right knee.
Initial assessments suggest he could be out for 6-8 weeks, which would be particularly disappointing as this was his first game back following an ACL injury that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 season.
In a painful moment during the match, Smith was injured just five minutes from the game's end when he was caught awkwardly in a tackle near the try line.
As play halted, it became evident that Smith was in distress, leading the club's medical staff to assist him off the field, where he limped to the tunnel.
Despite the nature of the tackle, no penalty was issued during the game.
Many observers believed Lodge's tackle might be classified as a hip-drop, a maneuver often scrutinized for its potential risk to player safety.
However, Lodge was not charged with dangerous contact following the incident.
In an interesting turn of events, Smith defended Lodge on social media, claiming there was "nothing wrong" with the contact made by the Sea Eagles prop.
This positions Smith as supporting the idea that the tackle, while unfortunate, did not warrant disciplinary action against Lodge, possibly reflecting a mutual respect between players in the physical backdrop of the game.
Overall, while Smith faces an uncertain recovery timeline, the support from his fellow players highlights the complexities of interpreting contact in rugby league and the camaraderie that exists among its athletes.