Ashton Ward has quickly emerged as a potential long-term halves option for South Sydney, even getting one of the game’s Immortals excited.

The 21-year-old has flown under the radar since his off-season move from the Dragons and there were few who expected him to make his NRL debut this year.

But with the injury toll at Redfern getting worse each week, the 74kg half was thrown into the mix over the past fortnight as the Rabbitohs attempt to avoid the wooden spoon.

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Ward – another product from the Gerringong Lions club that boasts the likes of Tyran Wishart, Reuben Garrick and Hamish Stewart – came off the bench against Cronulla in round 21, before earning a late call-up to start the following week against Brisbane.

While his side were on the receiving end of a 60-14 shellacking at the hands of the star-studded Broncos, it would be hard to find anyone who was criticial of Ward.

One desperate moment, where Ward chased down Jordan Riki to stop a certain try at Suncorp Stadium, had plenty of fans and experts applauding his efforts.

But according to league great Billy Slater, it was some of his work with ball in hand that was getting Andrew Johns “excited” during his stint in the Nine commentary box.

“Without doubt [he could],” the Maroons coach said on Nine’s Billy Slater Podcast when asked if Ward could be a long-term Rabbitohs half.

“The chase on Jordan Riki was the key highlight for Ashton Ward – but there were a couple of moments where he straightened the attack.

“I was actually sitting next to Andrew Johns calling the game and you could tell how excited Joey was getting when he was doing these things.

“Nothing was happening outside it, but he was actually creating some opportunities through the straightness and directness of his play.

“He’s only a really small guy, he’s got plenty of development left in him.

“He was the shining light for the Bunnies in that 60-point loss.”

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Clearly, something about Ward’s performance in the defeat impressed Wayne Bennett, who has retained the rookie in the halves against Gold Coast in what looms as a crucial game for the Bunnies if they are to avoid the dreaded spoon.

Lewis Dodd, who has become the scapegoat at times this year for Souths, has again been axed from the team as Jamie Humphreys returns from concussion.

The halves situation at the Rabbitohs is fluid heading into 2026 and there’s a real chance that Ward could factor into calculations.

Cody Walker has inked a one-year extension and will wear the No.6 jersey when fit, but the halfback spot might be up for grabs between Ward, Humphreys and Jayden Sullivan, pending an agreement with the Wests Tigers that allows him to stay put.

The latter two options have the ability to cover the hooker spot as well, which could see them better-suited to wearing the No.14 jersey as a bench utility.

Reading between the lines, one man who won’t be in the mix is Dodd – and it wouldn’t be a surprise if his brief time donning the cardinal and myrtle is over.

“I think he’s in that category of guys who are struggling a little bit,” Bennett said when asked about Dodd’s performance in round 22.

The coach has failed to back the English import whenever the topic of his future and spot in the club’s plans is brought up by journalists, painting a crystal-clear picture.

Dodd was a standout for St Helens and led the side to a World Club Challenge victory over the Penrith Panthers two years ago.

Since arriving at Souths on a deal worth an estimated $700,000 per year, the halfback has started just three matches and come off the bench in another three.

Walker, Humphreys, Sullivan, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jye Gray and now Ward have all been placed ahead of Dodd in the pecking order for the Rabbitohs.