The NRL future of former Super League man Lewis Dodd has had more doubt cast over it after South Sydney Rabbitohs’ latest decision.
Souths look set to sign injury-prone Cody Walker to a new deal beyond the current season with that being a clear message that they don’t deem Dodd ready to step up.
Walker is out for the rest of the year with a calf injury with the veteran half having only played eight times so far in 2025, however, the Bunnies look set to offer the 35-year-old a new deal.
That comes just weeks after confirmation that they would take up the option on Jayden Sullivan’s second year, whilst also signing St George Illawarra youngster Jonah Glover for 2026.
All signs would point to Dodd remaining near the foot of the depth chart with the former St Helens man having only made three appearances so far in the NRL, all on account of injury to those ahead of him.
He’s set to make his fourth appearance on Friday after being named on the bench to face Penrith Panthers and Wayne Bennett has sent a message to him ahead of that clash.
What Lewis Dodd needs to do in fourth NRL appearance to impress Wayne Bennett
Having revealed the club’s intent to re-sign Walker, Bennett explained why as he admitted that ‘no-one can actually take his place’, speaking to how irreplaceable he is.
Per The Daily Telegraph, Bennett said: “(Walker) is going to do another year here, and you just hope that there are injuries where you can miss them or you can get him. We just take a risk there and hopefully we can get a lot more out of him going forward.
“To lose Cody Walker is a huge loss for our club, he is one the smartest guys playing league. You have to have someone there that can take his place, well no-one can actually take his place. It’s that simple. We’ve just got to persevere with it and stay at what we can do with what we’ve got.”
It’s worrying that Dodd has been unable to string together a run of games despite the injuries to Walker and the fact that youngster Jamie Humphreys, Wests’ exile Jayden Sullivan, and centre Jack Wighton have all played ahead of him.
Souths insist that the $650,000 per year Englishman is part of their plans and Bennett spoke to media this week to explain what he wants from the former St Helens man.
“Put his body on the line,” Bennett said in regards to the game against Penrith when talking about what he wanted to see.
“He’s a small guy and there are a lot of big players playing out there against him and you have to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball.
“So if he does that, I’ll be pleased with him.”
