A defiant Lewis Dodd declared he will see out the remainder of his deal at South Sydney, despite Wayne Bennett’s refusal to comment on his future.
The English playmaker signed a three-year deal worth a reported $2 million before Bennett committed to the Rabbitohs for his second stint at the club.
But Dodd will play just his sixth game for Souths against the Broncos on Friday night after Jack Wighton was ruled out by the judiciary.
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Having dropped down the depth chart for the Rabbitohs, Dodd has struggled to nail down a spot in Bennett’s team.
And the multiple premiership-winning coach laid down the challenge to the halfback when asked if he will remain with the club beyond this season.
Souths caoch Wayne Bennett refused to elaborate on Dodd’s future. Getty
“That’s a good question, I can’t answer that for you right now,” Bennett said.
“Lewis has an opportunity Friday night to play again and show us what he can do and can’t do. Let’s wait and see how that goes.
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“He’s got an opportunity to play, he hasn’t had that all year, he started last week, he’s starting this week, we’ll all be smarter in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Bennett’s comments were then put to Dodd, who told The Sydney Morning Herald:
“I’m here for three years, and that’s the plan,” he said.
“I’ve got a chance now, we’ll see where that will take me into the off-season, and the start of next (season).
“It’s not nice seeing your name all the time in the media, and for your family as well, but it’s part of the game.
Lewis Dodd sits on the bench against the Sharks. NRL Photos
“I’ve done everything I can to be at a level where I think I can do what’s right for the team, do my job in the team, and not let anyone down.
“That started last week, and hopefully that will continue to the end of the year.”
Bennett has opted to go with Dodd and Jamie Humphreys in the halves, while Wighton’s four-game suspension for a shoulder charge will force the Rabbitohs to pick their fifth skipper this year.
Jai Arrow will lead the club with Cam Murray (Achilles), Cody Walker (calf), Latrell Mitchell (quad) and Wighton (suspension) out.
The Broncos are reportedly set to lose superstar prop Payne Haas to injury before the game.
