Lewis Dodd has finally secured a place in South Sydney’s starting lineup, a moment he describes as “long overdue” after his off-season transfer to the club. The young playmaker, who made a significant move from the Super League worth $700,000 per season, had been overlooked by coach Wayne Bennett in the first two months of the season. However, due to injuries to several key players, Dodd’s inclusion became necessary ahead of the Magic Round.
With a number of playmakers sidelined, including Jamie Humphreys, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell, and Jack Wighton—who unfortunately picked up an injury during training—Dodd is expected to step up this week. He expressed his readiness for this opportunity, acknowledging that his experiences on the bench and in the NSW Cup have prepared him well. “I didn’t think it was gonna be easy… but at the end of the day, that’s all I can ask for,” Dodd stated, reflecting on his journey.
South Sydney is also facing a leadership shuffle; with multiple players unavailable, Jai Arrow will take on captaincy duties for the upcoming match against the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium. Arrow light-heartedly commented on his new role, noting he’s the last member of the leadership group standing, but he is committed to maintaining stability during this challenging time for the team. As Souths prepares for their game on Saturday, fans are eager to see how Dodd and Arrow will contribute to the Rabbitohs’ performance amidst their injury woes.