Lewis Dodd didn’t do much to impress the new Rabbitohs coach in their NRL trial against Manly.
South Sydney import Lewis Dodd is receiving an early taste of the furnace-like heat he will face in the NRL after failing to stand out in the Rabbitohs’ trial loss to Manly on Saturday. The Englishman did little against a Sea Eagles side missing the majority of their front-line players and appears increasingly unlikely to win the halfback role for next month’s season opener.
Former Manly utility Jamie Humphreys is set to line-up along Cody Walker in the halves unless Dodd can pull out something special in next week’s Charity Shield against St George Illawarra. Former champion No.7s Cooper Cronk and Greg Alexander were both underwhelmed by Dodd’s lack of impact against Manly.
“I really wanted to see something from him but he’s been outshone by some of the younger guys,” Cronk told Fox League. Alexander added: “Coming into the game I was fascinated to watch Lewis Dodd. He’s a big signing – a halfback from the Super League to be your No.7. Is he up to it? That’s the question. The question mark still hangs, is Lewis Dodd up to it?”
Calls for patience after ‘unfair’ Latrell Mitchell detail
Veteran broadcaster Peter Peters, who has watched every English import of the past 50 years, conceded Dodd was already under the pump but called for patience. “Dodd didn’t stand out one bit against Manly and Souths fans looking for a spark from the ex-St Helens No.7 were disappointed,” he told Sky Sports Radio.
“Other than an average kicking game, Dodd showed little to enthuse. But let’s give him a chance. There was no Cody Walker, no Latrell Mitchell or Jack Wighton outside him, so it’s probably unfair to judge Dodd on one trial.”
Lewis Dodd needs to win over Wayne Bennett
On a deal worth around $2.1m over three years, the 23-year-old was signed on former coach Jason Demetriou’s watch, but now has to win over returning Rabbitohs mentor Wayne Bennett. The Bunnies have been desperate for a reliable halfback since Adam Reynolds’ departure in 2021.
Dodd said of the challenge: “The Super League has some incredible teams and incredible players, but just that week in, week out grind that NRL is, it’s probably a step up. I think the only thing I can do is keep working hard. Nothing’s guaranteed at this club. I’ve got to work hard. I know my spot, and if that comes round one or Round 15, whatever it may be, I’ll show up for it.”
The Rabbitohs are expected to roll out the majority of their big-name players against the Dragons in Mudgee next Saturday.
