In what can be likened to rugby league’s own version of Stephen Bradbury, Lewis Dodd has finally been given the chance to wear the South Sydney No. 7 jersey – because there are no halves still standing at the club.
Jamie Humphreys will miss Saturday’s clash against Cronulla because of delayed concussion symptoms he experienced after last weekend’s loss to Penrith, joining fellow playmakers Cody Walker (hamstring) and Bud Sullivan (broken leg), as well as Latrell Mitchell (quad) who has filled in at five-eighth, in the bulging casualty ward.
Dodd left St Helens in the Super League to ink a three-year, $2m deal with Souths, but has struggled to get a look-in under coach Wayne Bennett.
The 23-year-old has featured in just four games, with three of them coming off the bench, and one at five-eighth.
Teammate Jai Arrow, who remains the only player to have featured in every game this year, especially now Keaon Koloamatangi (ankle) is sidelined, said Dodd welcomed the news when told by Bennett he would be starting at halfback on Monday.
“It’s amazing what an opportunity can do for someone, Lewis has that opportunity now to start at halfback, and to make this team his own,” Arrow said.
Lewis Dodd will wear the South Sydney No. 7 on Saturday night.Credit: NRL/Gregg Porteous
“It’s exactly what happened with Jamie at the start of the year, he got that opportunity and took it with both hands.
“Now ‘Doddy’ gets to do that, I’m excited for him, we’re all excited for him, and I know when Wayne told him at the review, he clapped to himself and knew he was ready. He was pretty pumped.”
Souths have been hit the hardest by injuries this season, with Koloamatangi, arguably the club’s best player this season, to miss at least a month, and Peter Mamouzelos (concussion) leaving the field in the space of three minutes of each other last week. Humphreys will also miss a week after experiencing concussion symptoms.
In some good news, Jye Gray will return from a thumb injury to play fullback, which allows Alex Johnston to revert to the wing. Johnston signed a two-year extension on Tuesday, which will keep him at the club until the end of 2027 – and given him the chance to set a new try-scoring record that is never eclipsed. He is five short of Ken Irvine’s all-time mark of 212 tries.
Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster will miss Thursday night’s clash against the Sydney Roosters, and head home to Rockhampton where he will attend his father’s funeral on Friday.
Winger Brian To’o has been named to play for Penrith against Wests Tigers on Saturday evening, despite being given a 20-minute early mark last week because of a fresh knock to his left knee.
Parramatta will start Joash Papalii at fullback after Isaiah Iongi was ruled out for a month with a broken thumb, with Mitchell Moses to return (calf) at halfback along side Dean Hawkins.
Payne Haas (back) is back for the Broncos as they chase a fifth straight win. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (knee) will wear the New Zealand Warriors’ No. 1 jersey for the first time since round 17.
And Bronson Xerri returns from a groin injury to start in the centres for Canterbury on Sunday, with rivals Manly welcoming back Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder), which sets up an awesome heavyweight battle against Viliame Kikau.