NRL Casualty Ward: Matt Lodge set to miss Titans clash

Matt Lodge is facing a stint on the sidelines for the Broncos after hurting his hamstring in the season opener, while the club has also provided updates on two other injured stars.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: John Asiata of the Broncos is assessed after a heavy knock during the round one NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium, on March 12, 2021, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Brisbane’s engine room is in disarray with senior prop Matt Lodge set to join the suspended Payne Haas on the sidelines for Friday night’s derby against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters is breathing a sigh of relief with boom winger Xavier Coates (neck) and utility forward John Asiata (neck/shoulder) set to be cleared of serious injuries arising from Friday night’s 24-16 loss to the Eels.

The duo were taken to hospital for scans, but it is understood Asiata has suffered only minor nerve damage, while Coates is confident of recovering in time to face the Titans after his two-try effort against the Eels.

However, Lodge may not be so fortunate, with the 118kg enforcer racing the clock to bounce back from a hamstring complaint in a scenario that would decimate Brisbane’s front-row stocks.

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Matt Lodge watches on after pinging his hamstring on Friday night. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The Broncos went into the season-opener already missing NSW Origin prop Haas and the potential loss of Lodge for one to two weeks would place enormous responsibility on Tevita Pangai Jnr to lead Brisbane’s pack against the Titans.

Lodge started strongly before feeling a twinge in his hamstring after a hit-up in the early exchanges. He attempted to play on for another five minutes but struggled to stretch out and ultimately pulled the pin in the 18th minute.

Lodge, who suffered two knee injuries last year including a partial tear of his ACL, has no previous history of hamstring injuries, but Walters concedes he is unlikely to be on deck for the trip to the Gold Coast.

“I would imagine Matt would be in extreme doubt for next week,” Walters said.

John Asiata is taken from the field after suffering a neck injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

In the absence of Lodge, Walters is likely to pitchfork Tom Flegler into the starting front-row alongside Pangai Jnr after he impressed off the bench against the Eels, making 33 tackles and 113 metres in his first premiership hit-out since shoulder surgery last August.

Should Asiata join Lodge on the sidelines, Walters will look to summon fringe forwards Rhys Kennedy and Keenan Palasia, while hooker Cory Paix is another consideration for the No.14 utility slot.

The Broncos will be sweating on the fitness of Coates, who brings genuine X-factor to Brisbane’s backline, showcasing some superb finishing ability, including the spectacular 32nd-minute dive for the try which caused his neck injury.

Walters dismissed concerns the Broncos lack the fitness to handle the faster speed of the game after the sight of Brisbane players barely able to tackle in the final 15 minutes.

“Tevita had to come on and off about five times because of our injuries. We had one guy on the bench,” he said.

“I was proud of the boys for hanging in there. We seemed to be dipping down and then all of a sudden they found something which is what we want from them.”

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: Matt Lodge set to miss Titans clash