Rabbitohs’ ‘$2 million mistake’ exposes the NRL club’s major recruitment issue

The Rabbitohs’ signing of Lewis Dodd has been labelled a “$2 million mistake” as he prepares to start at halfback for the first time.

The Rabbitohs’ signing of Lewis Dodd has been labelled a “$2 million mistake” as he prepares to start at halfback for the first time in the NRL.

Dodd was named in the No. 7 jersey for South Sydney’s clash with the Sharks on Saturday night.

In his four previous NRL games this season, Dodd came off the bench in three games and started at five-eighth in the other.

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Even with his hefty $650,000 salary, Dodd has been regularly overlooked for selection by coach Wayne Bennett, even amid an injury crisis at the club in 2025.

NRL 360 co-host Dan Ginnane wondered whether Dodd had been signed by the Rabbitohs solely because he kicked the match-winning field goal for St Helens in the World Club Challenge back in 2023, when they prevailed 13-12 over Penrith.

Lewis Dodd will start at No. 7 for the Bunnies for the first time. Photo: Supplied

The 23-year-old Dodd is contracted with the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2027 season on a three-year deal.

“Is there a chance that Souths pushed the button when he kicked that field goal in the World Club Challenge, which is really, let’s be honest, in our part of the world, it’s a glorified exhibition game?” Ginnane asked.

“He kicks a field goal, they win 13-12, is that a $2 million field goal that he kicked?”

Panellist Andrew Webster agreed the Dodd signing was a mysterious one.

“It is one of the more bizarre recruitments, really,” Webster added.

“I’ve heard from people both in the UK and other recruiters here in the NRL that they were surprised that Souths signed him and threw that amount of money at him.

“Look, it’s a $2 million mistake.

Dodd celebrates his winning field goal in the World Club Challenge. NRL PHOTOS

“I’ve heard of other Super League clubs being interested in getting him but they want to be offering some pretty heavy coin for Lewis Dodd to want to move away from the $700,000 a year contract he’s on.”

Host Braith Anasta said the Rabbitohs’ recruitment has left a lot to be desired.

“I really think they’ve got to change a lot about their recruitment, Souths,” Anasta said.

“I think they’ve got to take a different direction, moving forward. I say this because, you look at their NSW Cup team, they’re coming last, their Jersey Flegg second last, their junior competition is nowhere near where it used to be.”

Webster believes South Sydney need to add to their stocks in the forwards.

“They need some middle forwards. That’s what they’ve been missing all year. Through injury and form, they haven’t had that at all this year, and where they are on the ladder reflects it,” Webster added.

Ginnane pointed out that Latrell Mitchell has missed a lot of games for the Rabbitohs since joining the club.

“Latrell plays 14 games a year. It’s fact. He’s played 85 games in six years at Souths, so he’s going to miss 10 games,” Ginnane added.

The Rabbitohs are currently missing a staggering number of players, worth over $6 million, in an injury crisis.

Mitchell ($1.1 million), Cameron Murray ($1 million), Keaon Koloamatangi ($650,000), Campbell Graham ($650,000), Cody Walker ($600,000), Brandon Smith ($550,000), Davvy Moale ($500,000), Peter Mamouzelos ($300,000), Jamie Humphreys ($250,000), Jayden Sullivan ($200,000), Mikaele Ravalawa ($165,000) and Bayleigh Bentley-Hape ($120,000) are all currently sidelined.

Originally published as Rabbitohs’ ‘$2 million mistake’ exposes the NRL club’s major recruitment issue