Lachlan Ilias granted permission to leave Rabbitohs after Dodd signing

Lachlan Ilias has been ruled out for the entire season after breaking his leg in the NSW Cup in early April. 

Embattled Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias has been given permission to speak to rival NRL clubs after breaking his leg in early April. South Sydney have signed Lewis Dodd from Super League side St Helens to fill in at halfback for the rest of the 2024 NRL season.  

Ilias granted leave from Rabbitohs

Lachlan Ilias’ 2024 NRL season came to an end in an April 5th NSW Cup match against New Zealand Warriors. The 23-year-old was on the receiving end of a shocking tackle by Warriors Freddy Lussick. The Hooker was sent off with just seconds left in the match. Ilias came away with a broken leg, and now might be on his way out of South Sydney.  
 
Ilias’ current contract expires at the end of the 2025 season. He’s not expected to make his return until midway through that season. Because of this, many are calling the Bunnies decision to give Ilias permission to find a move away from the club a no-brainer.  
 
Additionally, the that fateful NSW Cup match against Warriors was Ilias’ third straight match in the reserves level after being dropped for Dean Hawkins. There was a chance his time at the club was almost over anyways.   
 
What’s next for Ilias is still unknown. The 23-year-old is focusing on recovery from his severe leg injury. No clubs have yet registered their interest in the young halfback.  

South Sydney invest big in new halfback 

With Ilias out for the season, Rabbitohs were looking a little thin at halfback position. To address this, the club have spend big to sign Lewis Dodd from the Super League’s St Helens.  
 
Dodd, who is 22-years-old, is expected to slot in right away at the No. 7 spot for Rabbitohs. Reaction to this signing has been mixed.  
 
Braith Anasta on NRL 360 called the move a “big signing” and “a big coup for the Bunnies.” Others on the panel disagreed.  

Phil Rothfield was sceptical, wondering if the move will actually help the club. “Is it a PR signing of a desperate club, bit like the West Tigers when they paid Josh Reynolds, all that money, remember, and the front-rower from New Zealand?”, the veteran journalist said.  
 
Dean Ritchie was less kind, calling it a “high risk recruitment” to invest in a 22-year-old from an “inferior” league like the Super League.  
 
All the panellists questioned who actually made the signing. Souths don’t currently have a head of recruitment and head coach Jason Demetriou looks to be on the way out, so it’s unclear whether he would have enough influence to support this signing.  

Rabbitohs are currently bottom of the ladder and one of the Wooden Spoon favourites with the betting sites. Dodd alone will not be able to turn this club around, but he could be the start of a swift mid-season rebuild.