A teammate of South Sydney Rabbitohs halfback Lewis Dodd have spoken out on his potential departure from the club, admitting they would be gutted if the Englishman were to leave the NRL outfit.
Dodd has played just six matches in 2025, after signing a 3-year deal worth around $2,000,000. Injuries to the Rabbitohs side, you would have thought, would give Dodd a chance to impress, but despite the Bunnies’ first choice half, Cody Walker, out for the season, he has still not had a lot of opportunity on the field.
In his most recent outing, Dodd registered an assist via a kick, albeit in a heavy defeat to Brisbane Broncos. The signs are there for the 23-year-old, and there is an incredible talent waiting to be unlocked by the right coaching and development, he just hasn’t been able to find his feet under Bennett’s Bunnies.
This week, the former England and Great Britain boss had a conversation with the former St Helens man, telling him his services are no longer needed, and he is free to explore options elsewhere. Since then, Bennett has taken a cheap shot at the Englishman and questioned his ability.
Lewis Dodd backed for NRL success by teammate
However, leaving the club would be a blow to his teammates around him, who this week have publicly offered support to Dodd. Jye Gray, who has emerged as a talented full back in place of the injured Latrell Mitchell, has said that losing Dodd from the team would be a disappointment, and that he is “good enough” to join another NRL club should he exit.
“We love having Lewis at the club. I think he’s a great footballer and he’s an even better bloke off the field,” Gray said, speaking to Fox League. “He’s someone I enjoy being around, and I’m sure beyond this year he’ll hopefully have a future in rugby league. Whatever he wants to do is up to him.”
“I think he’s good enough to [play at another NRL club]. We have an abundance of halves here, but he’s a good footballer and he’ll get a crack somewhere.”
“He’s a great fella, he’s down to earth and that’s the reason you see that side of him because he’s a genuine person.”
Should an early exit come for Dodd, Souths would have to pay a portion of the $650,000 a year salary he is currently on.
