NRL 2024: Rabbitohs’ Lewis Dodd signing spells the end of Lachlan Ilias’ career at Souths

Less than a year ago Jason Demetriou backed Lachlan Ilias as his long-term halfback, but now his Rabbitohs career appears over. But who is Lewis Dodd? And can he be the club’s saviour?

Just last August Jason Demetriou declared Lachlan Ilias was “going to be the best halfback the club has had for a long time”.

But now neither may be at the club next season. Lots has changed since Demetriou made those comments on these pages following a 32-18 victory against the Tigers last August.

The coach had long backed Ilias to be South Sydney’s long-term replacement for Adam Reynolds. But now Ilias’ future seems like it will be elsewhere given the Rabbitohs’ decision to sign to move on English half Lewis Dodd on a long-term deal.

Make no mistake, Dodd will arrive in Australia with the expectation of wearing the No.7 jersey.

The timing is a cruel blow for Ilias whose season is over after breaking his leg playing in NSW Cup earlier this month.

South Sydney’s pursuit of Lewis Dodd spells the end of Lachlan Ilias’ Rabbitohs career. Picture: Getty Images

Ilias has 12-months left on his contract but rival clubs will circle. Those close to him had already expressed their concerns surrounding his lack of development at the club. But Ilias had so far rejected any notion of leaving the club given his sense of loyalty to South Sydney. That may change now.

The likes of Canterbury, North Queensland, Gold Coast and perhaps Newcastle will be in the market for a half. The Panthers too have yet to replace Jarome Luai.

The future for South Sydney is Dodd who is expected to partner Cody Walker next year in what is shaping up as Walker’s final year in the NRL. They have the option in 2026 of shifting Jack Wighton back into the halves should Walker, 34, not play on.

Initially, South Sydney’s decision to not re-sign Reynolds and instead opt for the younger Ilias looked to have paid off. He dealt well with the expectation of replacing a club great. Ilias played in all but one of their matches during his first full season in first grade in 2022 and led the club to a preliminary finals finish.

There was a minor blip on the way when he was replaced just after halftime during a poor team performance against St George Illawarra in round 15. But even then Demetriou was steadfast in backing his no.7 realising that there would be some speed bumps on the way.

By the end of that season he had agreed to a new deal which expires next year.

“He is learning to become a leader among a group of strong personalities and we believe Lachy will be one of the leading halfbacks in the competition for a long period of time,” said Rabbitohs head of football, Mark Ellison.

He backed up his debut year to be just one of three South Sydney players to play every match as the team bumbled its way out of finals contention. When Ilias was axed after just two games this year, no one would have predicted that would have been his final game for the club. But that is now a reality.