Rabbitohs recruit Lewis Dodd remains committed to proving his ability in the NRL having fallen down the pecking order under coach Wayne Bennett. The Rabbitohs coach was facing a dilemma heading into the season on whether to select new signing Dodd or Jamie Humphreys at No.7 as Cody Walker’s halves partner.
His decision was made easier for round one when Dodd was suspended for a game at the end of the pre-season challenge. And Humphreys was given the chance and impressed in the first round during the win against the Dolphins.
The Manly recruit then held out Dodd for selection in round two and made the most of his opportunity having kicked the winning field-goal against the Dragons in a stellar display for his team. South Sydney have surprised fans and started the season with two victories, despite the absence of Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, and it appears Bennett is keen to stick with the hulking halfback for the moment.
This has left Super League recruit Dodd in limbo as he plays in the reserve grade having signed for $650,000 a season. There was plenty of hype around Dodd coming to the NRL, but his trial game displays raised questions around whether he was ready for a step-up in competition.
And Dodd has broken his silence and reassured fans he will be a success in the NRL as he works to improve aspects of his game since making the move to Australia. “I wouldn’t have come out here if I didn’t believe that,” Dodd told AAP.
“I know what my strengths are, I just have to be doing them consistently and to a level that is good enough for the NRL. I’m slowly getting back to where I know I can be and where I know I should be.
The trial games were a real good indicator of what I need to work on. And that’s what I need to do before I get back into that first grade side. Whenever that chance comes to run out in the team, wherever that is position wise, I am 100 per cent confident in myself.”
Dodd’s confidence will be a boost for Bennett who will no doubt need to call on the 23-year-old throughout the year. And while Dodd is ready for an opportunity, he admitted the switch to Australia has been a shock having dealt with a different level of scrutiny than he is accustomed to back at home.
“It’s been a bit different. The Sydney media is as hard as they say,” Dodd said. “But that’s the pressure that comes with being a No.7. When it is going badly you get a bit of the noise. When it’s going good you get the noise as well. That’s what I’ve got to learn about my development as well. This is my first step to that.”
Jamie Humphreys shines in Rabbitohs start
While Dodd is waiting in the wings, Humphreys has hit the ground running having stood up in the big moment to ice the 25-24 win over the Dragons on Saturday. Humphreys has two try assists to go along with his goal-kicking this year, but it’s been his ability to do the hard work that has impressed.
The halfback has made 56 tackles across the two games and has taken on the line as he looks to cement his position as a starting playmaker. And Bennett was full of praise for Humphreys after the win against the Dragons after he backed himself to take the winning field goal.
“Well, I’m sure Cody didn’t want to do it,” Bennett joked as he sat next to Walker. “The good part about it wasn’t much thought to it. There wasn’t much process to it. He just backed himself and we had a bit of luck and a bit of field position and he just went back and whacked it over.
“I think that’s a great way to do it without all that stress that goes with everybody trying to get field position to get the field goal.” Humphreys will wear the No.7 jersey this weekend as the Rabbitohs take on the Sharks in Cronulla.
The Sharks are coming off a 36-12 victory over the Cowboys in round two. Humphreys will have a chance to go up against rival No.7 Nicho Hynes at Shark Park.
