NSW coach Laurie Daley admits he'd be disappointed if Queensland captain Cameron Smith missed this month's State of Origin opener over an incident involving South Sydney hooker Issac Luke.
Smith may have some anxious moments before the Queensland side is named on Tuesday after his feet found contact with Luke's head during a tackle in Melbourne's 16-12 NRL win over South Sydney on Saturday night.
Pulled onto his back by Rabbitohs forward David Tyrrell, Smith's feet made contact with Luke's head several times as he kicked his legs to get himself free.
No penalty was called and Luke did not complain of any injury post-match.
As much as Daley would like to see Smith miss May 27's Origin I in Sydney, the NSW mentor admitted there was not much in the incident.
"I would be disappointed if he missed Origin that way," Daley told Triple M radio.
"He was lashing out trying to get a quick play-the-ball but he wasn't looking at Issac Luke.
"I don't think there was any intent to strike him in the head.
"I think he was just kicking out to try and play the ball - I don't think he should miss an Origin over that."
NSW great Brad Fittler told Channel Nine's The Footy Show on Sunday that "there's no doubt in the world that he (Smith) deserves something (ban)".
But it is believed Smith's actions may only register a grade one dangerous contact charge, one that would not carry enough points to warrant a week's ban.
Smith admitted he did not remember the incident.
"I was only told about it on the way here that I had made contact with Isaac Luke," he said.
"He didn't mention it during the game or after the game so I don't know what to say there."
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy backed his captain.
"I can't even remember it and it's not as if anyone goes out there to kick someone in the head," he said.
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire said Luke had no complaints post-match.
"He's fine," he said.
Melbourne grabbed the lead on points difference with four teams locked up at 14 points on top of the NRL ladder.
They are sitting pretty after round 10 ahead of a Gareth Widdop-inspired Dragons who downed Canberra 32-18 at home on Sunday.
Former ladder leaders Brisbane slipped to third, one spot ahead of North Queensland.
In the other result on Sunday, Newcastle snapped a five-game winless run, when a late try to Knights debutant Chad Redman sealed a 22-12 victory over Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium.
The round concludes when Manly host Penrith on Monday night.
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