English playmaker Lewis Dodd has been ruthlessly dropped by Wayne Bennett once again, leading many to call out the veteran coach’s actions.
Dodd’s time at Redfern has been difficult to say the least. Since joining the NRL club ahead of the 2025 season, Dodd has featured just six times, many of which he has come off the bench.
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Offered a salary of $650,000 per-week, Dodd took a chance on the Rabbitohs, leaving England to play under Bennett.
However, despite Souths’ injury crisis – which Bennett says is the biggest he’s ever seen – Dodd has barely been given a chance since arriving at the Rabbitohs.
Bennett was asked about Dodd’s future before a 60-14 defeat to the Brisbane Broncos last weekend, and simply said he “couldn’t answer at the present moment” whether he would even see out his three-year contract, a hammer blow for the young half.
And it only got worse for the 23-year-old on Tuesday as Bennett dropped him to the NSW Cup, instead opting for untested 21-year-old Ashton Ward.
Bennett’s decision has been met with swift criticism from the NRL world and saw former NRL player Joel Caine advised the youngster to leave the club to save his career.
“You’ve got to feel for Lewis Dodd. Just get out of there, mate,” Caine said on SEN.
“What a rollercoaster ride it’s been for him.
“He came out here and won a World Club Challenge against Penrith (with St Helens), and was very close to man of the match. And now he’s found himself behind Ashton Ward. Bennett is just not a fan of him.”
Many fans were equally unimpressed.
“Lewis Dodd once again hard done by. Bennett has lost the plot,” one fan wrote on social media.
“Bennett has lost his mind,” another added.
“Dodd gone again. I give up at this point,” a third said.
Could Wayne Bennett make a late switch?
There is a chance Bennett may move fullback Jye Gray into the halves instead of Ward, if Latrell Mitchell – who was listed in the reserves in jersey No. 22 – is declared fit and ready to play against the Titans this weekend.
Bennett could also return his superstar fullback to centre, in place of Tallis Duncan, who has been filling in as an outside back due to the Bunnies’ extensive injury list.
Mitchell’s return would be a huge boost for Souths and Bennett in his quest to avoid his first-ever wooden spoon.
The Rabbitohs are equal on points with the Titans (16) after just six wins in 2025, but their inferior points differential means they are currently last on the NRL ladder with just six rounds to play.
A loss to the Gold Coast on Sunday would make Bennett’s Bunnies the favourite for the spoon, hence why this weekend’s clash is largely being declared the ‘Spoon-Bowl’.
Originally published as Wayne Bennett called out for sad act towards star playmaker as Latrell Mitchell detail emerges