Bennett picks Wighton over Dodd as Souths' No.6
Coach Wayne Bennett finally recalled Dodd to the bench for Sunday's must-win clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park.
A dearth of halves options forced Bennett's hand after Cody Walker sustained a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 50-28 loss to the Dolphins and Jayden Sullivan broke a leg in reserve grade.
But rather than draft Dodd in from the winter cold and into the starting side, Bennett has opted to move Jack Wighton from the centres to five-eighth.
Signed last year before Bennett's return to Souths was confirmed, Dodd has only been given one starting opportunity in 2025.
The super-coach swiftly dumped the $650,000-a-season talent back to NSW Cup after Dodd underwhelmed in a Magic Round loss to Newcastle.
But teammates are backing Dodd to deliver if and when he's thrown into the fray on Sunday as the depleted Rabbitohs fight desperately to keep their flickering finals hopes alive.
"He's always energetic and gets involved," second-rower Euan Aitken said on Tuesday.
"He's always happy, even with a bit of the setbacks this year, not playing much grade. He's a very happy dude around training.
"We love having him here and he's obviously played in very big games, so I don't think it will affect him too much going into a game like this because it's a regular-season game.
"He's played World Cup Challenges and grand finals and all that at a very young age."
Despite languishing in second-last spot, four points outside the top eight, and with a glut of stars including Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, the Rabbitohs remain defiant.
"People have got to stand up," Aitken said.
"Everyone's got to stand up within the team.We can't, can't make that excuse that we're missing a few. Every team's missing a couple.
"The Dolphins on the weekend were missing five or six, and we were doing the same thing earlier in the year. We were winning games without players.
"Just look at ourselves, to be honest. Hold each other accountable.
"I know my weekend's game wasn't the best, so look at myself first and that's what we need to do.
"If we can all get five per cent better, it becomes a bit of a compound effect and that brings results."
In another interesting selection development, former Melbourne and Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith was named on an extended nine-man interchange bench on Tuesday and could be in line for a Rabbitohs debut.
Lewis Dodd's exile is over but South Sydney's prized English import still can't earn a second NRL start despite the side's crippling injury toll.
Coach Wayne Bennett finally recalled Dodd to the bench for Sunday's must-win clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park.
A dearth of halves options forced Bennett's hand after Cody Walker sustained a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 50-28 loss to the Dolphins and Jayden Sullivan broke a leg in reserve grade.
But rather than draft Dodd in from the winter cold and into the starting side, Bennett has opted to move Jack Wighton from the centres to five-eighth.
Signed last year before Bennett's return to Souths was confirmed, Dodd has only been given one starting opportunity in 2025.
The super-coach swiftly dumped the $650,000-a-season talent back to NSW Cup after Dodd underwhelmed in a Magic Round loss to Newcastle.
But teammates are backing Dodd to deliver if and when he's thrown into the fray on Sunday as the depleted Rabbitohs fight desperately to keep their flickering finals hopes alive.
"He's always energetic and gets involved," second-rower Euan Aitken said on Tuesday.
"He's always happy, even with a bit of the setbacks this year, not playing much grade. He's a very happy dude around training.
"We love having him here and he's obviously played in very big games, so I don't think it will affect him too much going into a game like this because it's a regular-season game.
"He's played World Cup Challenges and grand finals and all that at a very young age."
Despite languishing in second-last spot, four points outside the top eight, and with a glut of stars including Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, the Rabbitohs remain defiant.
"People have got to stand up," Aitken said.
"Everyone's got to stand up within the team.We can't, can't make that excuse that we're missing a few. Every team's missing a couple.
"The Dolphins on the weekend were missing five or six, and we were doing the same thing earlier in the year. We were winning games without players.
"Just look at ourselves, to be honest. Hold each other accountable.
"I know my weekend's game wasn't the best, so look at myself first and that's what we need to do.
"If we can all get five per cent better, it becomes a bit of a compound effect and that brings results."
In another interesting selection development, former Melbourne and Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith was named on an extended nine-man interchange bench on Tuesday and could be in line for a Rabbitohs debut.
Lewis Dodd's exile is over but South Sydney's prized English import still can't earn a second NRL start despite the side's crippling injury toll.
Coach Wayne Bennett finally recalled Dodd to the bench for Sunday's must-win clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park.
A dearth of halves options forced Bennett's hand after Cody Walker sustained a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 50-28 loss to the Dolphins and Jayden Sullivan broke a leg in reserve grade.
But rather than draft Dodd in from the winter cold and into the starting side, Bennett has opted to move Jack Wighton from the centres to five-eighth.
Signed last year before Bennett's return to Souths was confirmed, Dodd has only been given one starting opportunity in 2025.
The super-coach swiftly dumped the $650,000-a-season talent back to NSW Cup after Dodd underwhelmed in a Magic Round loss to Newcastle.
But teammates are backing Dodd to deliver if and when he's thrown into the fray on Sunday as the depleted Rabbitohs fight desperately to keep their flickering finals hopes alive.
"He's always energetic and gets involved," second-rower Euan Aitken said on Tuesday.
"He's always happy, even with a bit of the setbacks this year, not playing much grade. He's a very happy dude around training.
"We love having him here and he's obviously played in very big games, so I don't think it will affect him too much going into a game like this because it's a regular-season game.
"He's played World Cup Challenges and grand finals and all that at a very young age."
Despite languishing in second-last spot, four points outside the top eight, and with a glut of stars including Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, the Rabbitohs remain defiant.
"People have got to stand up," Aitken said.
"Everyone's got to stand up within the team.We can't, can't make that excuse that we're missing a few. Every team's missing a couple.
"The Dolphins on the weekend were missing five or six, and we were doing the same thing earlier in the year. We were winning games without players.
"Just look at ourselves, to be honest. Hold each other accountable.
"I know my weekend's game wasn't the best, so look at myself first and that's what we need to do.
"If we can all get five per cent better, it becomes a bit of a compound effect and that brings results."
In another interesting selection development, former Melbourne and Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith was named on an extended nine-man interchange bench on Tuesday and could be in line for a Rabbitohs debut.
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The duo are recognised as one of the leading pairings in the NRL this year, their creativity and close understanding integral to the side's attacking strength. The Dolphins now have eight of their top 30 squad absent with long-term injuries after scans on in-form playmaker Kodi Nikorima's hamstring. Nikorima is predicted to miss six weeks and is due to return in either round 23 or 24 after suffering the injury in the 38th minute of the 50-28 win over South Sydney. The club already has key forwards Max Plath (knee), Tom Gilbert (shoulder), Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Thomas Flegler (shoulder) out for the rest of the year. Veteran forward Felise Kaufusi is due back from a medial cruciate ligament (MCL) injury in round 22, as is recent prop signing Sebastian Su'a who joined the club from Newcastle with a lingering knee issue but is yet to play a game. Winger Jack Bostock is also out of action until next year with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. With the Dolphins having byes this weekend and in round 21 Nikorima, who has been in lethal form, may only miss three or four matches. The Dolphins are in eighth position and will likely need to win four of their remaining eight games to reach the finals if 30 competition points is the cut-off for the top eight. They at least have the advantage of a for-and-against of plus-162 - the second best behind Melbourne. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf does have options to replace Nikorima ahead of the round 19 away clash with Cronulla on Friday week. Utility Kurt Donoghoe, who played in the halves for Fiji in last year's Pacific Championships, is one possibility. They could also move Jake Averillo from centre to No.6 or bring in natural half Sean O'Sullivan. Donoghoe has been one of the side's best performers in multiple positions but Woolf has rated highly his work at lock and it is likely to come down to either Averillo or O'Sullivan. The loss of Nikorima is a blow. 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Winger Jack Bostock is also out of action until next year with a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. With the Dolphins having byes this weekend and in round 21 Nikorima, who has been in lethal form, may only miss three or four matches. The Dolphins are in eighth position and will likely need to win four of their remaining eight games to reach the finals if 30 competition points is the cut-off for the top eight. They at least have the advantage of a for-and-against of plus-162 - the second best behind Melbourne. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf does have options to replace Nikorima ahead of the round 19 away clash with Cronulla on Friday week. Utility Kurt Donoghoe, who played in the halves for Fiji in last year's Pacific Championships, is one possibility. They could also move Jake Averillo from centre to No.6 or bring in natural half Sean O'Sullivan. Donoghoe has been one of the side's best performers in multiple positions but Woolf has rated highly his work at lock and it is likely to come down to either Averillo or O'Sullivan. The loss of Nikorima is a blow. His liaison with Katoa has been instrumental in the Dolphins' surge into the top eight. The duo are recognised as one of the leading pairings in the NRL this year, their creativity and close understanding integral to the side's attacking strength.
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Bennett picks Wighton over Dodd as Souths' No.6
Lewis Dodd's exile is over but South Sydney's prized English import still can't earn a second NRL start despite the side's crippling injury toll. Coach Wayne Bennett finally recalled Dodd to the bench for Sunday's must-win clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park. A dearth of halves options forced Bennett's hand after Cody Walker sustained a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 50-28 loss to the Dolphins and Jayden Sullivan broke a leg in reserve grade. But rather than draft Dodd in from the winter cold and into the starting side, Bennett has opted to move Jack Wighton from the centres to five-eighth. Signed last year before Bennett's return to Souths was confirmed, Dodd has only been given one starting opportunity in 2025. The super-coach swiftly dumped the $650,000-a-season talent back to NSW Cup after Dodd underwhelmed in a Magic Round loss to Newcastle. But teammates are backing Dodd to deliver if and when he's thrown into the fray on Sunday as the depleted Rabbitohs fight desperately to keep their flickering finals hopes alive. "He's always energetic and gets involved," second-rower Euan Aitken said on Tuesday. "He's always happy, even with a bit of the setbacks this year, not playing much grade. He's a very happy dude around training. "We love having him here and he's obviously played in very big games, so I don't think it will affect him too much going into a game like this because it's a regular-season game. "He's played World Cup Challenges and grand finals and all that at a very young age." Despite languishing in second-last spot, four points outside the top eight, and with a glut of stars including Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, the Rabbitohs remain defiant. "People have got to stand up," Aitken said. "Everyone's got to stand up within the can't, can't make that excuse that we're missing a few. Every team's missing a couple. "The Dolphins on the weekend were missing five or six, and we were doing the same thing earlier in the year. We were winning games without players. "Just look at ourselves, to be honest. Hold each other accountable. "I know my weekend's game wasn't the best, so look at myself first and that's what we need to do. "If we can all get five per cent better, it becomes a bit of a compound effect and that brings results." In another interesting selection development, former Melbourne and Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith was named on an extended nine-man interchange bench on Tuesday and could be in line for a Rabbitohs debut. Lewis Dodd's exile is over but South Sydney's prized English import still can't earn a second NRL start despite the side's crippling injury toll. Coach Wayne Bennett finally recalled Dodd to the bench for Sunday's must-win clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park. A dearth of halves options forced Bennett's hand after Cody Walker sustained a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 50-28 loss to the Dolphins and Jayden Sullivan broke a leg in reserve grade. But rather than draft Dodd in from the winter cold and into the starting side, Bennett has opted to move Jack Wighton from the centres to five-eighth. Signed last year before Bennett's return to Souths was confirmed, Dodd has only been given one starting opportunity in 2025. The super-coach swiftly dumped the $650,000-a-season talent back to NSW Cup after Dodd underwhelmed in a Magic Round loss to Newcastle. But teammates are backing Dodd to deliver if and when he's thrown into the fray on Sunday as the depleted Rabbitohs fight desperately to keep their flickering finals hopes alive. "He's always energetic and gets involved," second-rower Euan Aitken said on Tuesday. "He's always happy, even with a bit of the setbacks this year, not playing much grade. He's a very happy dude around training. "We love having him here and he's obviously played in very big games, so I don't think it will affect him too much going into a game like this because it's a regular-season game. "He's played World Cup Challenges and grand finals and all that at a very young age." Despite languishing in second-last spot, four points outside the top eight, and with a glut of stars including Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, the Rabbitohs remain defiant. "People have got to stand up," Aitken said. "Everyone's got to stand up within the can't, can't make that excuse that we're missing a few. Every team's missing a couple. "The Dolphins on the weekend were missing five or six, and we were doing the same thing earlier in the year. We were winning games without players. "Just look at ourselves, to be honest. Hold each other accountable. "I know my weekend's game wasn't the best, so look at myself first and that's what we need to do. "If we can all get five per cent better, it becomes a bit of a compound effect and that brings results." In another interesting selection development, former Melbourne and Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith was named on an extended nine-man interchange bench on Tuesday and could be in line for a Rabbitohs debut. Lewis Dodd's exile is over but South Sydney's prized English import still can't earn a second NRL start despite the side's crippling injury toll. Coach Wayne Bennett finally recalled Dodd to the bench for Sunday's must-win clash with Manly at 4 Pines Park. A dearth of halves options forced Bennett's hand after Cody Walker sustained a hamstring strain in last Saturday's 50-28 loss to the Dolphins and Jayden Sullivan broke a leg in reserve grade. But rather than draft Dodd in from the winter cold and into the starting side, Bennett has opted to move Jack Wighton from the centres to five-eighth. Signed last year before Bennett's return to Souths was confirmed, Dodd has only been given one starting opportunity in 2025. The super-coach swiftly dumped the $650,000-a-season talent back to NSW Cup after Dodd underwhelmed in a Magic Round loss to Newcastle. But teammates are backing Dodd to deliver if and when he's thrown into the fray on Sunday as the depleted Rabbitohs fight desperately to keep their flickering finals hopes alive. "He's always energetic and gets involved," second-rower Euan Aitken said on Tuesday. "He's always happy, even with a bit of the setbacks this year, not playing much grade. He's a very happy dude around training. "We love having him here and he's obviously played in very big games, so I don't think it will affect him too much going into a game like this because it's a regular-season game. "He's played World Cup Challenges and grand finals and all that at a very young age." Despite languishing in second-last spot, four points outside the top eight, and with a glut of stars including Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, the Rabbitohs remain defiant. "People have got to stand up," Aitken said. "Everyone's got to stand up within the can't, can't make that excuse that we're missing a few. Every team's missing a couple. "The Dolphins on the weekend were missing five or six, and we were doing the same thing earlier in the year. We were winning games without players. "Just look at ourselves, to be honest. Hold each other accountable. "I know my weekend's game wasn't the best, so look at myself first and that's what we need to do. "If we can all get five per cent better, it becomes a bit of a compound effect and that brings results." In another interesting selection development, former Melbourne and Sydney Roosters hooker Brandon Smith was named on an extended nine-man interchange bench on Tuesday and could be in line for a Rabbitohs debut.
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