Lewis Dodd insists he \u2018wouldn\u2019t change\u2019 the way his stint in the NRL worked out, and says the disappointment tasted Down Under last year is helping him to enjoy the game again at Catalans Dragons.<\/p>\n
Half-back Dodd \u2013 who turned 24 in January \u2013 joined NRL outfit South Sydney Rabbitohs<\/a> on a three-year deal ahead of the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n The playmaker had helped St Helens to Super League<\/a> titles in 2021 and 2022, and kicked the winning drop goal as they beat Penrith Panthers in the 2023 World Club Challenge.<\/p>\n But a disappointing 12 months Down Under followed his switch to the other side of the world, failing to ever nail down a spot in the Rabbitohs\u2019 side and playing just six NRL games over the course of the year.<\/p>\n Come the end of last season, he was released from the remaining two years of his deal and allowed to return to Super League, linking up with French outfit Catalans.<\/p>\n Want more Love Rugby League? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> and ensure you never miss our exclusives and breaking news!<\/p>\n \u2018It didn\u2019t got the way I wanted it to, but I\u2019ve said numerous times now that I wouldn\u2019t change it\u2019<\/p>\n Widnes-born Dodd featured 12 times for Souths\u2019 reserves in the New South Wales Cup last term in addition to those six NRL<\/a> games.<\/p>\n He has made a great start to life back in Super League, and after scoring his first try for the Dragons in their win at Leigh Leopards on Friday night, was put in front of the Sky Sports cameras.<\/p>\n Asked whether he got a fair crack at things in the NRL with the Bunnies, he said: \u201cIt obviously didn\u2019t go to plan, and it didn\u2019t got the way I wanted it to, but I\u2019ve said numerous times now that I wouldn\u2019t change it.<\/p>\n \u201cThe experiences and the lessons that I got, both on and off the field, are making me enjoy my rugby league now, so I wouldn\u2019t change it.<\/p>\n \u201cThat level, not just in a game but every day in training and what you do away from the game, that was the biggest lesson I learned from it.<\/p>\n \u201cWithout a doubt, in a weird way, it probably gave me more confidence knowing that I can be at that level.<\/p>\n \u201cTo bring it back here and start enjoying my rugby league again, that was the main thing.\u201d<\/p>\n Dodd only signed a one-year deal with Catalans<\/a> for 2026 initially, but before the campaign had even started, that had been extended by 12 months, so he is now tied down in Perpignan until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n