Andrew Johns says NRL club should ‘go after’ St Helens star as potential replacement for key man
Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns (left) and St Helens half-back Lewis Dodd (right)
Kangaroos legend Andrew Johns believes St Helens half-back Lewis Dodd would be a good replacement for Ben Hunt should he leave NRL club St George Illawarra Dragons.
Rugby league immortal Johns believes Dodd is the perfect replacement for Hunt, who has recently handed in a transfer request to the Dragons, which the club then turned down.
Brisbane Broncos were widely linked with Hunt, whose future is now up in the air, with the Dragons wanting to keep their State of Origin representative.
And speaking on NRL on Nine, Johns believes the Dragons should go in for Dodd if Hunt does eventually leave the club.
Johns said: “Number one I’d be going after is Lewis Dodd.
“He’s from St Helens, I’ve heard big raps about him.
“Lewis Dodd’s the one, big raps on him in the UK.
“I’ve got a friend over there coaching at Warrington. I talk to him all the time about different players, he said he’s the one.”
Dodd has scored 17 tries in 52 appearances for St Helens since making his first team debut in 2020.
The 21-year-old played in Saints’ Super League Grand Final triumph in 2021 and kicked the match-winning drop-goal in their 13-12 win over Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge earlier this year.
Dodd is contracted to the Super League champions until the end of the 2024 season.
Dodd was born and raised in Widnes, England and is of Welsh heritage, qualifying to play for both England and Wales on the international stage.
St George Illawarra Dragons latest on Ben Hunt
Earlier this week, the Dragons provided an update on Hunt’s future following the 33-year-old’s transfer request.
The club met with Hunt and his management team, where he shared the concerns and frustrations that led to his recent request for a release.
Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb said: “The club listened to Ben’s concerns and is committed to working with him throughout the remainder of his playing contract as both Ben and the club share a common goal of winning football games and building a successful football club.”
Hunt commented: “I appreciated the open and honest discussion and will continue to work alongside the club and now focus on our game against the Sharks this Thursday night.”
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