Player Lewis Dodd

[olBj]

He might still get a debut. Wait till Tuesday I guess.

And it’s not like there aren’t some extenuating circumstances.

The fact Gray is playing so well means they need a spot for Latrell AND Jye. Unfortunately for Dodd, 6 is a good option for Mitchell sans Walker.

And Sullivan is no slouch competition for the 7 jersey. Yes he’s had his time in the wilderness, but he’s always had the potential to play NRL, albeit more likely as a running half that doesn’t have to organise.

And he has the inside line of being the guy that subbed into the side for Humphreys mid game from the bench against the Roosters.

Considering we won the game, it makes it a little harder to ignore him.

Dodd is just in a spot where the 2 guys that are seemingly keeping him out of first grade weren’t with the club when he signed. They came in after the fact and have impressed more.

The NRL is a tough gig.

If his competition was still Ilias and Hawkins, he’d be the first string 7.

Those other options for 6 would have been more likely if Graham or even Aitken back ...then either Gray or Trell could have filled in at 6 but without CG or Aitken, centres would be too exposed ... imo

 

[Pplspoet]

Those other options for 6 would have been more likely if Graham or even Aitken back ...then either Gray or Trell could have filled in at 6 but without CG or Aitken, centres would be too exposed ... imo

I assume Johnston plays, Wighton back to left centre, Tass to right centre, Meyers to right wing.

If Johnston isn’t fit, I agree, that’s a problem.

 

[Pplspoet]

K

Not playing Dodd does not give him any options at all. It removes the one option he left England for in the first place. If Wayne just does not want him in our first grade side, for salary cap reasons or not, then keeping him in reserves is the same as forcing him out. So my point is that if Wayne has no plans for him at all, then the most decent thing our club can do for a kid who has travelled half way around the globe to play for us, is to find him a new club that will give him a shot. I always looked after my staff, even after they left. I thought the way the club looked after Milne when he was off contract was great. If Wayne doesn't want Dodd, and that is still an "if", then the club should do the same for him. Look for a loan deal for this season or a new club, NRL, for him. It is noteworthy that we don't know what Wayne is thinking when it comes to Dodd's future. This could just be a learning curve for Dodd.

Your sense of responsibility is admirable, but it’s a little misplaced.

For starters, the club paid him a significant amount of money to switch leagues and guaranteed that cash for 3 years. So Dodd is going to be absolutely fine.

If Lewis wants to play first grade, he needs to play well enough in reserve grade to earn a spot.

He’s been middling at that level.

You can say it’s because the team is struggling, there’s no go forward, he’s acclimatising, etc, but it really doesn’t matter.

Lewis’ job at the moment is to turn up and play good football. That’s it.

The club have the ability to simply wait and see with him. They’ve paid for the privilege.

Even if he doesn’t get selected this week, there’s every chance Sullivan bombs and he gets a run the following week, or mid year, or late in the season.

The club has bought that optionality.

If it was Dodd and Sullivan and Mamouzelos doing well in firsts and Humphreys was stuck in reserves, it would be the same situation.

Your comments suggest he’s killing it in reserve grade and Wayne has some slight against him and won’t pick him despite output.

He’s been somewhat solid without starring at the NSW Cup level.

Meanwhile Sullivan got the job done off the bench for a win on the weekend with a big play that got us back in the game.

IF (and it’s still an if) Dodd doesn’t get selected this week, then it ‘s just another week for him to go back to NSW Cup and prove to everyone he’s a first grade half.

And if that never happens and at some future point both parties come to a mutual agreement to part ways, so be it.

 

[Bruster]

K

Your sense of responsibility is admirable, but it’s a little misplaced.

For starters, the club paid him a significant amount of money to switch leagues and guaranteed that cash for 3 years. So Dodd is going to be absolutely fine.

If Lewis wants to play first grade, he needs to play well enough in reserve grade to earn a spot.

He’s been middling at that level.

You can say it’s because the team is struggling, there’s no go forward, he’s acclimatising, etc, but it really doesn’t matter.

Lewis’ job at the moment is to turn up and play good football. That’s it.

The club have the ability to simply wait and see with him. They’ve paid for the privilege.

Even if he doesn’t get selected this week, there’s every chance Sullivan bombs and he gets a run the following week, or mid year, or late in the season.

The club has bought that optionality.

If it was Dodd and Sullivan and Mamouzelos doing well in firsts and Humphreys was stuck in reserves, it would be the same situation.

Your comments suggest he’s killing it in reserve grade and Wayne has some slight against him and won’t pick him despite output.

He’s been somewhat solid without starring at the NSW Cup level.

Meanwhile Sullivan got the job done off the bench for a win on the weekend with a big play that got us back in the game.

IF (and it’s still an if) Dodd doesn’t get selected this week, then it ‘s just another week for him to go back to NSW Cup and prove to everyone he’s a first grade half.

And if that never happens and at some future point both parties come to a mutual agreement to part ways, so be it.

That was not the point. The discussion was based on Wayne having no plans for him going forward. Then regardless of his ability or form it is better for him to be at another NRL club.

 

[Pplspoet]

That was not the point. The discussion was based on Wayne having no plans for him going forward. Then regardless of his ability or form it is better for him to be at another NRL club.

Sure, but that’s pure speculation though.

IF the club didn’t have plans for him they’d be as eager as anyone to find him a new home.

 

[Gazman]

I just wonder if Dodd didn’t get suspended how things would have turned out for him. I think it’s fair to say that after the CS game he would very likely have been the halfback coming into round 1. Circumstances intervened and unfortunately for him another halfback grabbed that opportunity.
I just feel that he’s been handed a poor opportunity to show his wares in NSW Cup which is probably the worst Cup team we’ve had in memory. Honestly I doubt that Nathan Cleary would shine in the midst of that rabble.
We seem to be down on him despite the fact that he hasn’t even played an NRL premiership game in a team with NRL quality players around him.
Surely he deserves a fair go. I’m pretty sure Wayne would recognise that.

 

[DKOR]

If he isn’t picked to play this week when we’re down to the bones on halves then we are better off finding a deal for him elsewhere and spending that money on an area of need. Another prop perhaps. We have obvious areas of need and if Dodds going to be 5th choice half then we should spend that money elsewhere if we can. Good for us and also potentially good for him as he probably gets a start at another club.

 

[Bruster]

Sure, but that’s pure speculation though.

IF the club didn’t have plans for him they’d be as eager as anyone to find him a new home.

And the crowd goes wild......Poet and Bruster finally agree!

 

[Pplspoet]

I just wonder if Dodd didn’t get suspended how things would have turned out for him. I think it’s fair to say that after the CS game he would very likely have been the halfback coming into round 1. Circumstances intervened and unfortunately for him another halfback grabbed that opportunity.
I just feel that he’s been handed a poor opportunity to show his wares in NSW Cup which is probably the worst Cup team we’ve had in memory. Honestly I doubt that Nathan Cleary would shine in the midst of that rabble.
We seem to be down on him despite the fact that he hasn’t even played an NRL premiership game in a team with NRL quality players around him.
Surely he deserves a fair go. I’m pretty sure Wayne would recognise that.

They’ve seen him all preseason and at training the last 2 months too.

I’m sure Wayne Bennett can assess the difference between doing a job in a dud team and not being the best option for a gig.

 

[Gazman]

They’ve seen him all preseason and at training the last 2 months too.

I’m sure Wayne Bennett can assess the difference between doing a job in a dud team and not being the best option for a gig.

I agree Tuesday’s team list will firm up where he fits in the pecking order.

 

[Bruster]

If he isn’t picked to play this week when we’re down to the bones on halves then we are better off finding a deal for him elsewhere and spending that money on an area of need. Another prop perhaps. We have obvious areas of need and if Dodds going to be 5th choice half then we should spend that money elsewhere if we can. Good for us and also potentially good for him as he probably gets a start at another club.

I am agreeing with that. There could be several clubs interested in Dodd especially as he comes with a top kicking game, (just a reminder, Latrell kicked 2 out on the full last week). It is horses for courses with some coaches, like Sullivan only played 8 games last season for the club that got the spoon, yet is 5 from 5 this year with us as a potential top 4 team. By appearances Dodd has slipped from first choice to 5th choice half, but as there have been no rumblings about shopping him around apart from us, pointed out by @Pplspoet, while it doesnt look great for Dodd, it is possible that Wayne has 2026 plans for him.

 

[DKOR]

Depends what is available as well I guess.

Don’t have to firm up the final squad until June but if a TPJ or some other solid middle has a falling out with another club and suddenly becomes available between here and there, I know what I’d be doing.

 

[Shauno]

All this talk about if if if if with Wayne and Dodd.
Lordy. Speculation with zero substance.

What we know for a fact.
Wayne knows what he is doing and there is 100% a plan in place relating to Dodd. We don’t know it. We’re not expected to know it. Whatever it is will work out in ours, and Dodd’s best interests.

The what if’s are wasted energy for mine

 

[olBj]

All this talk about if if if if with Wayne and Dodd.
Lordy. Speculation with zero substance.

What we know for a fact.
Wayne knows what he is doing and there is 100% a plan in place relating to Dodd. We don’t know it. We’re not expected to know it. Whatever it is will work out in ours, and Dodd’s best interests.

The what if’s are wasted energy for mine

I actually dont mind a bit of speculation.
Great to hear what others are thinking
Otherwise, not as interesting a site if we only comment on past events...
would be pretty boring actually... imo

 

[bundyrabbit]

I think we'll see Dodd at 7 and Sullivan at 6. We need strength in our centres, so leave Latrell and Wighton out there. No doubt Latrell will be drifting into first receiver occasionally anyway. Having Dodd out there helps with our kicking game, as I don't see Sullivan as the man to take pressure off Latrell, who the Cowboys will target.