Former St Helens half-back Lewis Dodd was potentially going to make his NRL debut for South Sydney Rabbitohs but that now will not be happening.
The Rabbitohs lost Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys to hamstring injuries during their 20-14 win over Sydney Roosters last week.
With both starting half-backs out for the next three weeks at least, it looked like Dodd might finally be set to make his NRL debut for the Bunnies.
However, after playing in the NSW Cup this week, he’s up for judiciary on a crusher tackle charge, which typically comes with a one-match ban minimum.
The ban would also cover across NRL games, meaning Dodd couldn’t play for South Sydney’s first team for at least another week, should he be banned.
The ex-St Helens half picked up a ban pre-season too, missing round 1 of the NRL season, following a reckless high tackle.
Humphreys took his spot in the starting line-up and until now, he had been one of the Rabbitohs’ stars of the season so far.
With both starting half-backs out, it was written in the stars that Dodd would be making his much-awaited NRL debut.
Instead, it looks like Latrell Mitchell will be moving into the halves alongside Jayden Sullivan, something which has now been confirmed by Souths with the release of their team list.
Sullivan replaced Humphreys during the win over the Roosters and didn’t look out of place.
Dodd could fall even further down the pecking order as Jack Wighton is another option for head coach Wayne Bennett.
Wighton has been playing in the centres so far in 2025, featuring in all but one game.
Whilst getting NSW Cup game time is often part of the experience for young English players, Dodd was hoping to impress Bennett during pre-season and cement a place in his squad.
However, so far, he’s been overlooked after an indifferent start to the season in the Bunnies’ reserve-grade side.
Could the former St Helens halfback be tempted to return to the UK earlier than planned?
