League Arvo Wrap

Tim Smith was still making headlines this afternoon with team mates fearing the troubled Parramatta Eels halfback may have played his last NRL game. Smith revealed yesterday he had bipolar disorder and would be quitting the club indefinitely.

Following a media conference yesterday afternoon, Smith left with his manager and has reportedly flown to the Gold Coast to stay with his parents.

Better news for Brisbane Broncos with centre Justin Hodges being cleared of any serious injury and will take the field in Friday's NRL clash against Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park, Robina.

Hodges injured his neck during the Broncos win over Newcastle on Sunday, but scans showed he suffered only soft tissue damage.

The news is not so good for Wests Tigers with forward Bronson Harrison ruled out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury. Harrison joins a number of injured teams mates with Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah, Dene Halatau, and Ryan O'Hara all sidelined.

Harrison was forced from the field during his team's 30-24 loss to Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium on Sunday. The burly forward scored two tries in the first half before limping off early in the second half. MRI scans have since confirmed the 22-year-old has suffered a posterior cruciate ligament to his left knee.

In other news, Melbourne Storm lock Dallas Johnson has signed a new three-year contract that will see him remain with the Storm until the end of the 2011 season.

In judiciary news, Gold Coast Titans have elected to submit an early guilty plea to a dangerous throw charge against five-eighth Mat Rogers, but will contest the severity of the penalty at the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night.

Rogers was charged with a grade two dangerous throw in last week's win over the Parramatta Eels, the Titans are seeking to have this downgraded to a grade one dangerous throw.

Meanwhile, former Melbourne Storm forward Clint Newton has been charged with making an alleged "chicken wing" tackle while playing for Hull in the UK on Sunday.

Hull's celebrations following their 20-18 win over the Bradford Bulls were dampened with the news that Newton could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Back in Sydney, Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor has escaped penalty following his illegal sideline address during his side's 12-10 loss to the Sharks.

NRL boss David Gallop issued a warning to South Sydney but let the club off the hook without a fine.

News further north, any decision on the availability of Cowboys' fullback Matt Bowen will be made on Thursday at the earliest.

Ashley Graham was again named at fullback for North Queensland's NRL home clash with the Warriors on Saturday night at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The Cowboys will give Bowen until the last minute to overcome a knee complaint that has sidelined him since round three.

In other Arvo news, Manly Sea Eagles' backrower Anthony Watmough has been ruled out for between two and four weeks with an ankle injury.

The Origin hopeful suffered ankle ligament damage following Manly's 26-4 loss to the Storm in Melbourne last Friday.