Departing South Sydney halfback Lewis Dodd breaks silence on failed NRL career after agreeing to join Catalans

“Sometimes you have to look at it from a bigger picture. I’ve got a big support network that has helped me realise that.

“Coming from where I come from in the north-west of England, very few people get out of that area and have a chance to live out their dreams.”

Dodd has had to endure a torrent of criticism after failing to live up to the hype. Some of the headlines – like “Lewis Dud” and suggestions he is one of the worst NRL buys in history – have been particularly unkind to an import who was never really given a chance to show his worth.

However, the 24-year-old said it all comes with the territory.

“It’s obviously not nice if you see some things, but I learnt early on in my career not to look for something that you don’t want to read,” Dodd said.

“At the end of the day, it’s just a job. My job is to be a professional rugby league player; their job is being a journalist. I don’t take any hard feelings towards it; I don’t think anything bad of it.

“That’s part of the deal. When you’re doing well and winning comps, you get all the nice headlines that are nice for your family to read. It’s vice versa when you’re not doing so well or not living up to what people expect, you might get some harsh ones. That’s just part of the game.”

Though he had few chances to impress, Dodd believes the experience of playing in Australia has been beneficial to his career.

“I know what I’m capable of, but more importantly how much improvement I’ve still got in me,” he said.

“That’s been the biggest thing that’s helped me along the way, just how much I’ve improved at training day by day.

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“You only have to look at the people not only in the playing squad and the coaching staff as well that I have learnt off every day. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ve become a better player by becoming a Souths player.”

Dodd described the 2025 season as “tough” but also said it was “a life experience you can’t get anywhere else.”

“I can’t say there’s a day that I’ve gone in – even if you are frustrated with not playing – and could say that I didn’t enjoy it,” he said. “I’ve still learnt and that’s a big thing for me.”

Meanwhile, the Roosters have confirmed former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will join the club as a specialist forwards coach. Already familiar with the Tricolours following a consultancy role in 2020, will return to Bondi Junction for a second stint.

“Michael and I have had a strong relationship for many years, and I’ve always admired the way he leads and challenges athletes,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

“His experience in rugby brings a different perspective that will inspire and test our players and coaches.”

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