Market Watch NRL: John Bateman set to sign with South Sydney as Lewis Dodd hits the training paddock

Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs revolution has begun with high-profile recruit Lewis Dodd hitting the training paddock to work on his combination with Cody Walker.

John Bateman. NRL R19 Cronulla Sharks V Wests Tigers at PointsBet Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The Rabbitohs are launching their new era under legendary coach Wayne Bennett.

Bennett took his first steps back through the doors of South Sydney on Monday, returning after coaching the club to three consecutive finals appearances between 2019 and 2021 and he was captured by the Rabbitohs video team joking with English recruit Lewis Dodd.

Dodd, the 22-year-old halfback from St Helens was one of the new faces at Souths training this week.

The supercoach asked Dodd what his name was?

When Dodd replied, “Lewis”, Bennett quipped: “Lewis who?

“Oh you’re the Pommy.’’

Souths have also signed Josh Schuster, Euan Aitken and Jamie Humphreys for next season.

The new South Sydney halves pairing of Cody Walker and Lewis Dodd. PIc: Instagram

The Rabbitohs are aiming to return to the finals in 2025 following a season of woe that included narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon with just seven wins and may be bolstered by the recruitment of Wests Tigers forward John Bateman.

The English International has joined Matt Lodge as a possible landing spot at Souths with the Rabbitohs boasting salary cap space following the release of halfback Lachlan Ilias to St George Illawarra.

Bateman has a close relationship with Bennett, who coached England between 2016 and 2018.

It’s understood Bateman is among a number of options the club is weighing-up as they look to bolster their forward pack,as they look to spend the remaining cap space from Ilias’ exit.

The Wests Tigers have been keen to release the 31-year-old from the final two years of his contract – 2025 and 2026 – and would be happy to contribute a portion of his salary to leave.

Manly had also been linked to Bateman, but have withdrawn their interest.

Bateman has relationships with staff and players at Souths. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall has been vehement that he and Bateman haven’t had a falling out despite several reports to the contrary.

The hard-nosed forward would add experience to the Rabbitohs pack following the departure of Damien Cook (Dragons) and Thomas Burgess (Huddersfield) ahead of the 2025 season.

Bateman is due to return to Wests Tigers training in January.

The development has emerged in the wake of

NRL signings, transfer tracker: Every club’s pre-season player movement for 2025