Lewis Dodd Faces Uncertain Future as South Sydney Considers Moves
Lewis Dodd has been given the green light to explore opportunities elsewhere after Wayne Bennett, the head coach of South Sydney Rabbitohs, confirmed that the English halfback is free to finish the remainder of his three-year contract at another club in either the NRL or Super League. This comes amid a challenging season for Dodd, who has struggled to find form since joining the Rabbitohs on a high-profile deal earlier this year.
Dodd’s performance against Brisbane was particularly underwhelming, marking only his third start since his arrival. The 23-year-old, who previously played for St Helens, has spent most of his time in the NSW Cup and has not yet established himself as a consistent performer in the top grade. With the Rabbitohs currently at the bottom of the table, the team has opted to go with other halfbacks such as Jamie Humphreys, Ashton Ward, Cody Walker, and Jye Gray.
Bennett made it clear that Dodd is no longer part of the club’s immediate plans. He stated that he had a conversation with Dodd and told him he could explore his options. This decision led to Dodd being left out of the starting lineup for the upcoming “Spoon Bowl” match against the Titans, with Humphreys and Ward taking his place.
Despite his current situation, Dodd is likely to return to the UK, although the Rabbitohs will still cover a percentage of his salary if a Super League club signs him. Meanwhile, the club may also lose another key player in Jye Gray, who has drawn interest from R360, a new global rugby competition set to launch in 2027.
Jye Gray Under Spotlight as Potential R360 Recruit
Jye Gray, a versatile utility player, has shown promise in his 28 appearances for the Rabbitohs, scoring 11 tries. He has often filled in at fullback when Latrell Mitchell was unavailable. Gray is expected to start in the No.1 jersey for Sunday’s match against the Gold Coast, but there are possibilities of him moving into the halves if Mitchell returns from a thigh injury.
Gray is set to be off-contract at the end of next season, which could see him command a significant salary if he joins R360. This would far exceed any offers from NRL clubs, making him a highly sought-after talent.
Wests Tigers Secure Mavrik Geyer
Meanwhile, the Wests Tigers have added Mavrik Geyer to their squad for the 2026 season. Geyer, who has made 14 first-grade appearances for Penrith since his debut in 2024, signed a one-year deal with the Tigers. He expressed excitement about joining the club and working under Benji Marshall, whom he believes is building something special.
Geyer is expected to add depth to the Tigers’ edge back-row position. The club is also set to bring in Ethan Roberts from the Roosters and has already secured Kai Pearce-Paul from Newcastle, further strengthening their pack.
Jonah Pezet Remains Focused on NRL Opportunities
Jonah Pezet, a halfback for the Melbourne Storm, has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane following Jahrome Hughes’ injury. While Pezet is contracted with the Storm until 2029, he has a clause in his contract that allows him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signs. Hughes recently extended his contract with the Storm until 2030, which opens up potential opportunities for Pezet.
Pezet has not ruled out a loan deal but insists it is not his immediate focus. He remains committed to playing every week and is focused on proving himself to coach Craig Bellamy. Pezet also praised Harry Grant’s experience with loans, noting how it helped him during his time at the Wests Tigers.
The Storm have chosen Tyran Wishart as Hughes’ replacement at No.7, while Bellamy has left the door open for Hughes to return before the finals. Hughes is currently training away from the main squad and avoiding surgery.
With several players facing uncertain futures, the coming months will be crucial for both the Rabbitohs and the Storm as they look to strengthen their squads for the remainder of the season.