Dragons target Roosters recruitment boss Daniel Anderson

Souths coach Wayne Bennett said after the game – a 30-12 win for Manly – that Smith had suffered suspected medial-ligament damage “from that tackle” and was likely to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

Asked if he was concerned about whether the tackle was a hip-drop, Bennett said it was up to the match-review panel to decide, adding: “You can make your own opinion on it. I’m frustrated about a lot of things at the moment, but it’s not doing me any good.”

On Monday, the game’s law enforcers ruled Lodge had no case to answer.

Lodge, who played under Bennett at Brisbane, was a teammate of Smith’s at the Roosters and said they remain close friends, even exchanging pre-game banter via text messages on Saturday night.

He was upset on the field and after the game that Smith had been injured, having also been through the long, painful process of recovering from a knee reconstruction.

“I can’t really comment on Wayne,” Lodge said. “He’s the greatest coach of all time, so nothing I say is going to have any credibility.

“What’s more important to me is Brandon Smith. He’s a good mate of mine. He’s coming to my birthday next week. I was more concerned about Brandon Smith than Wayne.”

Lodge said he’d be upset if Smith was out of the game for an extended period of time “because I went through that a few years ago. I was more concerned about that and making sure he was all right”.

“He’s a good friend and a good person. In that part, Wayne’s probably irrelevant.”

He added: “Wayne’s played the game. He probably knows that sometimes you fall in those positions. There was no intention or malice.”

Lodge insisted any damage caused by the tackle was accidental and unfortunate, and Smith vouched for him on social media, with a post that read: “Just want to make sure everyone understands Matt Lodge done nothing wrong, it was an accident.

“We are friends, and if you watch you can see nothing was wrong so please leave him alone. This stuff happens all the time.”

The incident was a drama Lodge could have done without as he re-establishes himself in Manly’s engine room, after starting the season on a train-and-trial contract.

The 30-year-old was restricted to training with the Sea Eagles’ top squad only once a week, maintaining his fitness with two boxing bouts, working on the building site at his new home, and completing a university degree.

A broken toe hindered his preparation, but he was recalled for the round-12 loss to Parramatta and has since featured in three consecutive wins against Brisbane, Wests Tigers and Souths.

With Taniela Paseka, Haumole Olakau’atu, Josh Aloiai and Nathan Brown sidelined because of injuries, Lodge’s heavyweight frame has been a welcome addition to Manly’s engine room, and he revealed he has an option clause in his contract that will allow him to return to their full-time squad next season.

“I’ve got a deal here,” he said. “I’m going to let them know by October if I want to stay … they are tough to play on, the train and trial.

“You’re playing for the love of it. The kids are going to eat the contract in three days.

“That’s why I top it off with work a couple of days a week. I’m happy to do that this year.

“It’s good. I still care about footy. I want to play at a good level and do a good job for my team.”

He played only 28 minutes against Souths but made his presence felt, especially in the early exchanges, smashing out 87 metres in attack and 18 tackles.

“I thought he started the game really well,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold said.

“He set a real tone, him and Siua [Taukeiaho], at the start of the game. It’s probably his best little period of footy since he’s been back playing for us this year.”

Munster set to play Origin decider despite father’s death

Dan Walsh

Queensland captain Cameron Munster has left Origin camp after the death of his father, Steven, but plans to return and lead the Maroons in Wednesday’s decider.

Munster learnt of his father’s death overnight in Queensland camp on the Sunshine Coast, with coach Billy Slater confirming the news in a statement on The Sunday Footy Show.

“Unfortunately, we woke to the sad news of the passing of Cameron Munster’s father Steven Munster overnight,” Slater said on Sunday morning.

“Cam will exit camp to be with his family before rejoining his team for the game on Wednesday.

“On behalf of myself and our footy team and the state of Queensland, we send our thoughts, our love and condolences to Steven Munster’s family and friends, in particular his wife Debbie, his daughter Danielle and of course his son Cameron.”

Munster was given the option to stand down from Origin III at Accor Stadium by Queensland officials, but has told officials he wants to play in honour of his late father.

The Storm five-eighth produced a man-of-the-match performance and led a stirring Queensland upset in Perth after being handed the state captaincy. Longtime teammate and Cameron Smith backed Munster to return for the decider, while Broncos star Reece Walsh remains in camp as 18th man.

“Knowing Cameron quite personally… I think he’ll want to go out there and play for his father,” Smith said.

“Come Wednesday, his headspace will be where it needs to be.”

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