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‘No one’s taken ownership’: Lewis Dodd blame game rolls on as Bennett, Rabbitohs called out
Dean Ritchie said Wayne Bennett would have to have given the Lewis Dodd contract “some form of approval” as the blame game continues over who decided to sign the playmaker.
October 1, 2025 – 8:05AM
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Souths finally cut ties with unused Dodd
NRL: The Rabbitohs have finally officially cut ties with unwanted signing Lewis Dodd.
Veteran rugby league reporter Dean Ritchie said Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett would have to have given the Lewis Dodd contract “some form of approval” as the blame game continues over who decided to sign the playmaker.
Dodd was released from his Rabbitohs contract on Tuesday after playing just six games for the club.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Dodd is expected to join English Super League club Catalans Dragons on a 12-month contract after Souths paid a six-figure fee to release him.
The former St Helens star was a big name signing for Souths in 2025 and was seen as the club’s long-term halfback, but onnly one of his NRL appearances was in his preferred position.
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“I don’t know who signed him. No one has come forward to say it,” Ritchie said on NRL 360 on Tuesday night.
“But I will say this. Wayne Bennett wasn’t coaching Souths at the time but he had been appointed South Sydney coach.
“You cannot tell me that he was bought for $800,000 a year and they did not consult Wayne Bennett who was coming in the following year as coach.
“Wayne would have to have given it some form of approval.”
Lewis Dodd has been released by the Rabbitohs.
Fox League’s Paul Crawley provided more clarification on Bennett’s role in the Dodd signing.
“I think the situation was the deal had pretty much been done and Wayne took their advice and said, ‘if that’s what you’ve done, that’s what you’ve done,’” Crawley said.
“I don’t think he was the one that recruited Lewis Dodd.
“I’m pretty confident I’m right in saying that.”
However, Crawley still felt the Rabbitohs needed to be transparent with their fans.
“The fact that people are still trying to push the blame this way and this way, shows that no one’s taken ownership of it, and they probably do owe an explanation,” Crawley said.
“I don’t hold it against Bennett not picking him too.
“You’ve got to pick your best side. It’s not a charity contest.”
But Ritchie felt Dodd, who played off the bench in three of his NRL games, wasn’t given enough of an opportunity.
“We never got a chance to see him play,” Ritchie said.
“Did you watch any games at all?” Anasta then asked Ritchie.
“He struggled but he wasn’t given much of a chance,” Ritchie replied.
“One game in his preferred position. Do you think that’s a fair crack?”
But Anasta felt that Bennett’s judgement on Dodd should be trusted, given his decades of experience and success in the game.
“One of the greatest coaches in the history, if not the greatest, he gave him a few chances and obviously worked out, he’s not there,” Anasta said.
“He’s not going to keep playing him just to appease everyone else or him, give him an opportunity.
“It’s first grade rugby league.”
Crawley agreed with Anasta.
“He just didn’t fire. You can’t blame the coach. It’s a recruitment decision that has really gone belly up,” Crawley said.
Wayne Bennett clearly wasn’t a fan of Lewis Dodd. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Rabbitohs gave Dodd a six-figure pay-out after mutually agreeing to part ways with the playmaker.
South Sydney confirmed Dodd’s release from the remainder of his playing contract in a statement, with CEO Blake Solly crediting his “first class” attitude in what has been a tough year after the 23-year-old arrived at the club with high expectations.
“We want to thank Lewis for his service to the Rabbitohs throughout the 2025 season,” Solly said.
“His attitude towards his football, his training and his interactions with our members and supporters has been first class. We’re certain that Lewis will be able to return to his best football.”
The Daily Telegraph reported that Dodd is expected to join English Super League club Catalans Dragons on a 12-month contract after Souths paid a six-figure fee to release him.
The former St Helens star was a big name signing for Souths in 2025 and was seen as the club’s long-term halfback.
South Sydney’s recruitment officer Mark Ellison flew to England to sign Dodd, but it remains to be seen if Bennett ever approved of the deal, after only returning to the club ahead of the 2025 season.
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Dodd failed to win a game at Souths, as the team struggled amid a horror casualty ward in 2025, which was the worst in Bennett’s career.
Originally Dodd was keen to stay with the club, before the Rabbitohs granted formal permission to explore his options after it became clear he was not in coach Bennett’s long-term plans.
Dodd was overlooked for a host of stars including Jack Wighton, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Jayden Sullivan, Latrell Mitchell, Jye Gray and Ashton Ward throughout the season, showing Bennett had little faith in his ability despite the club’s injury woes.
Souths have re-signed Sullivan for two years despite the fact his loan deal from the Tigers expires at the end of the season.
The Rabbitohs are in talks with David Fifita to lure the former Origin star from the Titans and Dodd’s departure will free up some funds for that aim, along with releasing prop Davvy Moale to join Manly on a three-year deal.
Originally published as ‘No one’s taken ownership’: Lewis Dodd blame game rolls on as Bennett, Rabbitohs called out
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