Over the weekend reports emerged that St Helens star Lewis Dodd is set to head to the NRL at the end of the season with South Sydney Rabbitohs signing the playmaker on a long-term deal.
It was The Daily Telegraph who initially broke the story with the reports indicating that South Sydney’s football manager Mark Ellison would be heading to England to officially complete the deal.
Ellison is expected to land in England at some point this week with Dodd’s signing looking set to become confirmed imminently, something that former Saints man James Graham has claimed is a huge signing.
Graham went as far as to claim that if Dodd can succeed in the NRL then he will go down as “one of England’s greatest”, whilst other members of the Aussie media have labelled the 22-year-old as “the best seven in Super League”.
Dodd hasn’t actually played in either of St Helens’ last two games with the Red Vee forced to move Jack Welsby into the halves alongside Jonny Lomax.
“Don’t know too much about him” – Souths stars react to reports of Lewis Dodd signing
Credit: Imago Images
Despite that, a number of Dodd’s potential teammates are uncertain of who he is. That’s been reported by The Daily Telegraph who were asked about Dodd on Sunday.
Souths prop Jai Arrow’s reaction to questions about Dodd saw him respond: “Nah, sorry to be honest I don’t really know anything about him.”
Incredibly, Arrow was even unsure on Dodd’s name, adding: “I just know he’s a young kid in the Super League. He must be doing some good things if he’s caught the eye of the club … I don’t really know anything about … Lewis Dodd, is it, sorry?”
Another of Souths’ pack had a similar reaction, although they were far more positive about welcoming the 22-year-old into the Sydney club.
State of Origin debutant in 2023 and rising star Keaon Koloamatangi reacted: “I did see that, but I don’t know too much about him. Any signing to the club is a positive, it’s good that it shows people over there want to come to our club.
“When he comes we’ll welcome him with open arms.”
Dodd may have to be a saviour for Souths who are currently languishing at the foot of the NRL table after a dismal start that has seen them carry over their poor form from 2023.
Souths have won just one of their seven games and the pressure has mounted on head coach Jason Demetriou, with Sam Burgess having been forced to bat back suggestions that he could make a return to his former club.
