Former St Helens man Lewis Dodd earns NRL recall but long-term hopes handed blow

Former St Helens playmaker Lewis Dodd has received mix news this week with an NRL recall coupled with a long-term blow.

Dodd is back in the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ matchday squad for the first time since early May, a game where he earned his first NRL start in a 30-4 loss to Newcastle Knights.

That start came off the back of two games where had played off the bench as the injury issues at Souths hit hard, however, Dodd hasn’t featured for Wayne Bennett’s side since.

That’s set to change this week when Souths take on Manly Sea Eagles with the former St Helens man named to the bench as injuries once again bite for the Bunnies.

Latrell Mitchell is at Origin training camp, whilst it’s been confirmed that Jayden Sullivan has suffered a broken leg which sidelines him alongside Cody Walker (hamstring). Wayne Bennett has turned to Jack Wighton, who has played mainly in the centres for Souths, and former Manly man Jamie Humphreys in the halves with Dodd set to play off the bench.

Ex-St Helens man Lewis Dodd facing fresh competition as Souths sign new half

It’s clearly a boost to be featured but it highlights just how far down the pecking order Dodd is given that two players are injured and yet Wighton is named the starter alongside youngster Humphries.

There are also more concerns for the future of the former St Helens man given that Souths have confirmed the signing of another half for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, two years when Dodd is still under contract with the Sydney club.

Souths have confirmed the signing of Jonah Glover, who the club have labelled an “exciting young half” in their press release with the 22-year-old signing from St George Illawarra Dragons.

Glover has been playing in the New South Wales Cup, the same competition that Dodd has found himself playing in for much of the season, and the new recruit has clearly impressed enough for the Bunnies to make a move.

The 22-year-old is yet to make his NRL debut but the Rabbitohs’ Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, has pointed to the fact Glover is ready to step up.

“Jonah has shown through his discussions with us, and his performances on the field, that he is ready to take the next step in his career and play in the NRL,” Ellison said.

“He is extremely quick on his feet, very elusive, a solid defender and a try-scoring, goal-kicking half.

“He has performed strongly against men in the NSW Cup on a consistent basis and will create more competition for spots in our halves from next season.”

Given that Dodd is on a reported $650,000 per season, it’s hard to imagine that he stays with the Bunnies given the fact they’re signing other NSW Cup players to bolster their halves for the future.

Glover signs with the Rabbitohs for seasons 2026 and 2027 ✍️❤️💚

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— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🐰 (@SSFCRABBITOHS) July 1, 2025