'Long time coming': Bennett finally calls on $700k recruit

Lewis Dodd admits it has "been a long time coming" to earn a spot in South Sydney's starting team after joining the club in the off-season. Signed on big money from the Super League, the young playmaker has been constantly overlooked by coach Wayne Bennett across the opening two months of the season. But heading into Magic Round, there was simply no choice but to insert the $700,000-a-season 23-year-old into the fray with a host of Rabbitohs playmakers sidelined due to injury. Jamie Humphreys, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton will all be out of action this weekend, with the latter suffering an injury at training after initially being named to wear the No.6 jumper against the Newcastle Knights. Speaking to media at the airport on Thursday, the former St Helens premiership winner said his time in NSW Cup and on the bench will hold him in good stead. "It's been a long time coming, it feels like," Dodd said. "I didn't think it was gonna be easy, I didn't know if it was gonna go my own way. "I wouldn't have had it any other way - it will make me a better player and better person. "At the end of the day, that's all I can ask for." The injury crisis at Redfern will also see Bennett install a new captain for the trip to Brisbane for the annual rugby league extravaganza. Jai Arrow will step into the role and gave a trademark response to the decision. "I guess I'm the last one left out of the leadership group," the ex-Origin forward said. "Someone has got to hold the fort down while the rest of them take some time off." Souths will face the Knights on Saturday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium.

Frightening 35-year curse facing Rabbitohs recruit

When St Helens faced up against Hull KR in the Super League on Saturday (AEST), there were plenty of former NRL stars to watch. Peta Hiku, Tyrone May, Konrad Hurrell, Moses Mbye, Sione Mata'utia, Waqa Blake, Curtis Sironen - take your pick. But it was the man in the No.7 jersey for St Helens, Lewis Dodd, who came with the most interest. Dodd ran on to the field knowing his future had been signed, sealed and delivered with the Rabbitohs announcing a three-year deal not long after the game was completed. It wasn't the most inspiring match from the halfback, whose third kick was charged down before Hull scored off the next set through May. The try assist went to opposite number Mikey Lewis with a pinpoint kick. St Helens went on to lose 40-20 in an uncharacteristic performance and as such went from first to third on the ladder. How Dodd fits into the Rabbitohs side will be interesting. He's a left-footed kicker, just like Cody Walker. There's no chance he'll partner right-footed kicker Lachlan Ilias, with the former's management requesting permission to negotiate with rivals immediately after reports emerged about the pursuit of Dodd. With Dodd previously playing under Dolphins assistant Kristian Woolf at St Helens, there were suggestions Wayne Bennett was involved in the deal ahead of his possible return to South Sydney.