A week after the initial reports last week, it has now been confirmed that Lewis Dodd will leave St Helens and join South Sydney Rabbitohs from the 2025 season.
Souths confirmed the transfer this morning with the 22-year-0ld English half penning a three-year deal with the NRL giants. It’s some welcome news for Bunnies fans with the team currently at the foot of the NRL and without a head coach.
For Dodd though, it is a massive opportunity that few are brave enough to take but he’s seized it and should be commended for that.
He’s been touted by former St Helens legend James Graham as going down as “one of England’s greatest” at the position if he manages to succeed in the NRL, whilst his future club described him as “one of the most exciting and skilful players” in Super League.
The pressure will certainly be on when he makes the move with NRL scrutiny on another level and that’s something Lewis Dodd is aware of.
“St Helens have made me a better man” – Lewis Dodd sends emotional message to the Red Vee
Credit: SWpix
St Helens also confirmed the news and within their statement, there was a message from Lewis Dodd to the fans.
In that, the 22-year-old spoke on his gratitude and love for the club explaining that the decision to leave was a tough one, but that the job in England wasn’t done yet.
He said: “It was not a decision that was made overnight, there were a lot of sleepless nights and tough conversations with family and people close to me, it’s been a tough decision.”
Lewis Dodd joined the St Helens Academy in 2017, aged just 15, and since then has become a pivotal player for the club making it understandable why he’s has such an issue in making the decision to depart.
He would go on to progress through the Academy and has made 75 first-team appearances to date and for that he has thanked the club endlessly, stating: “The opportunities that I have, and have already had, across my playing career are down to the staff and players at Saints, from top to bottom.
“St Helens has not only made me a better player but a better person, and a person that my family is proud to be associated with. I’ll be forever thankful to St.Helens and the lessons that they have taught me both on and off the field.
“My full focus is on Saints this season, no other thought is in my mind apart from playing for Saints, giving my all, and doing the job that’s required week in and week out. Hopefully, that will lead to trophies, I know what the fans and the Club deserve.”
He’s also intent on going out as a champion once again with the Red Vee looking to reclaim the Super League crown, something Dodd has done previously.
“There are two trophies to be won this year and the most important thing to me right now is to go win those for St.Helens. I want to be there at Old Trafford with the fans holding those trophies and having another one of those moments in life that I can cherish with the supporters.”
