Bennett picks Wighton over Dodd as Souths’ No.6

Darren Walton |

Lewis Dodd is back in the fold at Souths – but only as far as the reserves bench.
Lewis Dodd is back in the fold at Souths – but only as far as the reserves bench.

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.

Jack Wighton.
Jack Wighton has been preferred over Dodd for the Souths No.6 jersey. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

“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.

AAP