Lewis Dodd Interview: South Sydney’s new no.7 opens up on NRL journey

Lewis Dodd has never experienced the NRL spotlight before but has been tasked with rebuilding the Rabbitohs with the no.7 jersey. Hear from the English recruit on how he plans to deal with the pressure, and more.

Long before he reported for his first official day as a Rabbitoh, English star Lewis Dodd was already doing his homework on his teammates.

Dodd would sit down and watch each South Sydney match at least twice where he would compile mental and physical notes from his home at St Helens.

He was looking for trends. Especially to do with would-be halves partner Cody Walker.

“When I knew I was coming I started watching every game as if I was already at South Sydney,” Dodd said. “I was doing a review on each game and trying to learn as much as I could off the TV.

“I wanted to see how they play and how certain people and what positions they take up.”

Dodd has just finished his first week as a Rabbitoh. The halfback sat down with Michael Carayannis to discuss his highly publicised switch, how he will deal with the pressure of wearing the No.7 and his interaction with new coach Wayne Bennett.

THE DEAL

Dodd made headlines when he agreed to a three-year contract to join South Sydney in April. The experience was a whirlwind for the 22-year-old whose clear ambition was to always give the NRL a crack.

“It was a roller-coast few weeks,” Dodd said. “I was speaking to my manager Pete Menicou and I knew I wanted to come to the NRL. It was always a dream. Speaking to him casually about it and then he rings me up one day and he said he has a meeting with (South Sydney officials) Mark Ellison and Blake Solly. I told him to let me know how it goes. I was away for the weekend but when I got back he rang me first thing and he said they were interested. I couldn’t speak. I’d never been speechless before. I’d always watched Souths closely because there had always been an English person playing for them.

“Just before I signed, Mark flew over to England just to meet me and say it in person. I was with my dad and I was like this club does not owe me anything and Mark had flown over the other side of the world just to meet me. Instantly I felt like I belonged there. It was a comfortable feeling knowing I was going to get looked after. I was like whatever it took to get it done, I wanted it done.

“I remember vividly watching the 2014 grand final and Sam Burgess fracturing his cheekbone. I thought it was incredible.

“Whenever I asked someone about South Sydney, I thought everyone was reading off the same script because they were all saying the same thing. Family club and they will support, and help you.

“So far they’ve done all that and more.”

Lewis Dodd talks to Wayne Bennett (L) and with new halves partner Cody Walker (R). Picture: Instagram

BENNETT FACTOR

Dodd signed just before Jason Demetriou was sacked and long before Bennett announced his intention to return to the club. But that came with Dodd’s own uncertainty if he would be part of Bennett’s plans.

“Wayne coming added to the excitement,” Dodd said. “I was coming to a club that has a brilliant coach, roster and facilities. I knew he was going to challenge me and if I accepted it, it was going to make me better.

“I was a little bit unsure if he wanted me because he wasn’t the coach when I signed. The people I was speaking to at the club they reassured me that he wanted me. When I first spoke to him I got that assurance from him. I was nervous but excited to see him. Straight from the first conversation he put my mind at ease that as long as I come here, work hard and keep my head down and I will be all right.”

That first meeting only happened at the end of November before Bennett and Dodd formally attended training last Monday. Their first public interaction (see the video player above) has already gone viral. Bennett – having already met Dodd – came up to him, shook his hand and asked ‘who are you’ to which Dodd replied; ‘Lewis’. Bennett fired back ‘Lewis, who’ before saying ‘ah you’re the Pommy’.

“It was brilliant,” Dodd said. “That was just Wayne, being Wayne. It was pretty hard not to laugh at it. It’s been funny seeing the reaction. Straight after some of the boys thought I was offended but I couldn’t stop laughing.”

Lewis Dodd holds aloft the World Club Challenge trophy after guiding St Helens to victory over the Panthers at BlueBet Stadium on February 18, 2023. Picture: Getty Images

HANDLING EXPECTATIONS

Dodd comes into a South Sydney side filled with talent. But a disappointing season last season has put the spotlight on the club.

His rich three-year deal will be the subject of much conjecture. The Rabbitohs have already shown their hand that they expect Dodd to be their starting halfback after releasing Lachie Ilias to the Dragons.

“It’s a bit more expectation than back home,” Dodd said. “A lot more media coverage. It’s going to be different. If I’m playing well and the team and fans can see that I’m getting better and I can play at that level week in week out that will take the pressure away.

“That’s why you play as well. If there is pressure on you to play well every week it puts the responsibility on me to make sure I get things right.

“I’ll hang my hat on competing in every play and being in the picture in every play. If I do that, I don’t think I can go too far wrong.”

WHY NOW?

The last time Dodd stepped foot on Australian shores he kicked an extra time field goal to give St Helens victory against Penrith in the World Club Challenge last year.

Even before that though his mind was set that at some stage he would return and play in the NRL.

“I don’t think you know what’s around the corner,” Dodd said. “I could say it’s the perfect time but in three or four years it might not be. One thing I’ve learnt from having a long-term injury was that your career is short. You might get an opportunity one week and it might not be there a week after.

“The feeling I got from Souths just added to my belief that it was the right time. I get the best out of myself when I realise I’m OK at not being the best at something or knowing everything about a certain part of life.”

Originally published as Lewis Dodd Interview: South Sydney’s new no.7 opens up on NRL journey