English halfback Lewis Dodd is set to join South Sydney next season after informing his Super League club St Helens on Friday he would not take up his option for 2025.
Sources with knowledge of the Dodd situation, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive negotiations, confirmed to this masthead that Rabbitohs recruitment chief Mark Ellison will board a flight to England on Sunday to meet Dodd and several other signing targets.
Australian rugby league fans will recall Dodd kicking the winning field goal in golden point against Penrith in last year’s World Club Challenge.
Dodd, 22, had been on the radar of several NRL clubs.
Cody Walker and Lachie Ilias are the recognised halves at Souths, but both players are off contract next year.
Dean Hawkins has replaced the injured Ilias in recent weeks, but is contracted only until the end of the season.
Ilias has struggled to step out of the shadows of Adam Reynolds, and had been dropped before he broke his leg in reserve grade.
Some at the Rabbitohs view Ilias as an ideal No.14 – or even a five-eighth option, where he has played in the past – once Walker retires.
Ilias is a right-sided player and Dodd a left-footer who prefers to play on the left.
Ellison is also expected to be on the lookout for a front-rower and winger. The depth in the outside backs has already been fully stretched this season, with Taane Milne’s two-match ban meaning he joins Alex Johnston (hamstring) and Tyrone Munro (collarbone) on the sidelines.
Despite having one eye on the future with Dodd, Souths’ immediate focus is preparing to face premiers Penrith on Thursday night with pressure continuing to mount on coach Jason Demetriou.
Demetriou’s side is 1-6 to start the year, including a 54-20 drubbing against Melbourne on Anzac Day. They have won just five of their past 20 matches.
Souths chief executive Blake Solly would not comment on Dodd or Demetriou when contacted on Saturday, but confirmed the club’s poor start to the season would be discussed when the Rabbitohs board meets on Tuesday.
“There is nothing extraordinary or irregular about Tuesday,” Solly said.
“Like any board meeting, the performance of the NRL team will be reviewed, along with all other aspects of our business.
