Wayne Bennett, the Rabbitohs coach, expressed his frustration following an incident involving Brandon Smith, who is set to miss six to eight weeks due to a medial ligament injury. This injury occurred during a match against Manly, where Smith was subjected to a high tackle from Jake Simpkin while Matt Lodge approached from behind.
Smith, making his return from a significant ACL injury picked up during his time at the Roosters, immediately clutched his lower leg in pain and faced difficulties playing the ball. The game was halted shortly thereafter, causing concern among fans and commentators alike. While Phil Gould saw the situation as potentially less dire—suggesting that Smith might have just experienced a scare—Bennett later confirmed the severity of the injury.
The Rabbitohs’ coach lamented the absence of any penalty for the tackle, believing that the team has been unlucky in such decisions recently. “That’s up to them to make a decision now, but we’re not playing with a lot of luck, and we didn’t get any there with that decision either,” Bennett remarked, hinting at his disappointment.
When questioned about whether the tackle constituted a hip-drop incident, Bennett refrained from drawing definitive conclusions, choosing instead to allow others to form their opinions. He admitted his frustration was substantial, acknowledging that it wasn’t helping his situation. Nevertheless, he found a glimmer of hope in the fact that Smith’s absence is not as extensive as it could be, considering his previous long recovery time.
Bennett noted, “I think he can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” referencing Smith’s positive mindset amidst the setback. Overall, while the team faces challenges with player injuries and controversial officiating decisions, Bennett remains hopeful for Smith’s return in the near future.