Rabbitohs release $2.1m English recruit Lewis Dodd with immediate effect

Lewis Dodd's time at the South Sydney Rabbitohs has officially come to an end as the club confirmed the pair have mutually agreed to part ways with immediate effect.

Dodd made the move from St Helens in the English Super League to join South Sydney at the start of the season on a three-year deal reportedly worth $700,000 per season.

But the 23-year-old failed to secure a regular spot in coach Wayne Bennett's 17.

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Dodd only featured in six NRL games — and that was in spite of the club's dire injury toll.

Of those appearances, he only managed to play 80 minutes on two occasions.

He did not record a victory in any of his appearances in the NRL.

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Just shy of two months after he was informed he was free to negotiate with rivals, South Sydney have announced the playmaker has been released from his contract.

"Firstly, we want to thank Lewis for his service to the Rabbitohs throughout the 2025 season," South Sydney CEO Blake Solly said in a statement.

"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.

"On behalf of everyone at South Sydney, we wish Lewis the very best of luck in the future, and he and his partner will always be welcome here at the Rabbitohs."

Dodd was keen to stay put at the Rabbitohs to play out his contract, but it quickly became clear that he was not wanted by Bennett.

The halfback has been linked to join several teams in the Super League in 2026.

South Sydney fullback Jye Gray had previously thrown his support behind Dodd's potential to make an impact with a rival team, if he were to depart the club.

"I think he's a great footballer and he's an even better bloke off the field," Gray said of his now-departing teammate in August after it was confirmed Dodd had been given permission to speak to rivals.

"I'm sure beyond this year he'll hopefully have a future in rugby league. I think he's good enough to (play at another club). We have an abundance of halves here, but he's a good footballer and he'll get a crack somewhere."