Lewis Dodd to fight for spot as South Sydney consider moving Latrell Mitchell into halves

The Rabbitohs growing casualty ward means coach Wayne Bennett will need to decide between handing Lewis Dodd his first NRL start or giving Latrell Mitchell a crack in the halves.

South Sydney’s big money recruit Lewis Dodd will get a chance to push to make his first NRL start with the English half expected to line up for the Rabbitohs in their NSW Cup game against the Roosters on Sunday afternoon.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett is expected to decide between handing Dodd his first NRL appearance or moving Latrell Mitchell to the halves to cover for their growing casualty ward.

Jamie Humphreys won’t be able to play the Cowboys on Saturday night while Cody Walker is considered long odds. The pair picked up hamstring injuries during South Sydney’s spirited win against the Roosters on Friday night.

While they were awaiting scan result, the Rabbitohs camp were hopeful Walker’s injury was not long-term term but given they need to fly to Perth on Wednesday he is considered unlikely to play.

Lewis Dodd looks poised to make his NRL debut in round six. Picture: Getty Images

Jayden Sullivan will start in the halves for South Sydney with his partner yet to be decided. There would have been a temptation to pull Dodd from the NSW Cup fixture at Redfern Oval but as it stands he was going to line-up and try to stake his claim for the vacant halves spots.

Dodd was unavailable for the season opener because of suspension and had to watch on as Humphreys starred in the top grade. He has played the past three games in reserve grade laying on three tries and scoring one.

Jayden Sullivan looks locked in to start for South Sydney against the Cowboys in round six. Picture: Getty Images

Bennett will considering Mitchell making the switch into the halves but South Sydney have their own issues in the outside backs with Mikaele Ravalawa completing a trio of hamstring problems on Friday night. Alex Johnston trained for the Rabbitohs and is a slight chance of returning from a rib injury in time to play North Queensland.

Fletcher Myers is in line to replace Ravalawa is Johnston isn’t fit.

Originally published as Lewis Dodd to fight for spot as South Sydney consider moving Latrell Mitchell into halves