“Best seven in Super League” – Aussie media react to reports of Lewis Dodd’s NRL switch

It was reported earlier this morning that Lewis Dodd is set to head to the NRL at the end of the season with the 22-year-old having been snapped up by those down under.

The Daily Telegraph first broke the story where it was reported that Lewis Dodd will sign a long-term deal with South Sydney Rabbitohs, the deal to be confirmed in the coming days.

Souths’ football manager Mark Ellison will oversee the deal when he flies to England per The Telegraph which would likely lead to an official announcement from the clubs.

It’s a major blow for St Helens but an incredibly exciting move for Dodd and also a significant signing for English Rugby League as it signifies the level of talent Super League does boast compared to the might of the NRL.

“It’s a coup” – Lewis Dodd signing hailed by Australian media

Those down under have been quick to react to the reports of Dodd’s move with ex-Super League player and former Australian international Todd Carney being among them.

Carney spent the twilight years of his career in Super League where he racked up 47 appearances and the former Dally M Player of the Year has raved about Lewis Dodd following today’s reports.

“He’s really good. He’s a natural half, he’s a seven, he’s a controller and he’s very similar to Reynolds, only that he’s a left footer,” Carney explained on Triple M’s Rocks Footy show.

“He’ll compliment their team with Walker, so he’ll be able to take the whole control. The thing is, I think he’s a left-side player, so that means Cody might have to shift to the other side of the field or Lewis play on the right side.

“He is a big signing though, he’s been over there playing really well. He’s won comps, he’s won the World Cup Challenge and he kicked the field goal here to beat Penrith last time, so it’s a big signing.

“It’s something that I think they need and I think it’s a really good signing.”

High expectations down under for Dodd

It seems that the expectations of Lewis Dodd will be very high with the reaction down under all heaping praise on the 22-year-old.

Alongside Carney on Triple M’s show was journalist Brent Read who claimed that Dodd will arrive with “a big reputation”, revealing that several other clubs had been interested in his signature, something that had previously been reported earlier this month.

Read said: “He’s got a big reputation over in England and he’s been keen to come out to Australia and test himself in the NRL, we’ll have to see the ripple effect of that because I imagine there will be some.”

“I know there were some other clubs keen with the Dolphins being quite keen on him. Kristian Woolf coached him at St Helens, so it’s a coup for South Sydney.”

Perhaps the highest praise came from Mike Meehall Wood, a journalist for Roar Sports, who labelled the reports of Dodd’s move as “huge” before making a bold claim.

Wood went on to say: “Lewis Dodd to Souths is huge – he’s been the best 7 in Super League for several years and is already 75 games into his career at just 22.

“NRL has a blind spot on signing key position players from the UK but there’s value there, especially in a weak halves market here.”

Lewis Dodd to Souths is huge – he’s been the best 7 in Super League for several years and is already 75 games into his career at just 22.

NRL has a blind spot on signing key position players from the UK but there’s value there, especially in a weak halves market here. pic.twitter.com/EkDpLs9nnO

— Mike Meehall Wood (@MikeMeehallWood) April 27, 2024

Dodd will be a major miss for St Helens but his journey down under will be an incredibly exciting one to witness.