Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Magic Round exposes Rabbitohs and Titans' poor recruitment
Charles Goodsir • April 30th, 2025 12:45 pm
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio is calling for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Gold Coast Titans to come under more scrutiny over their erroneous recruitment strategy.
Injuries and suspensions have forced the Rabbitohs to change several aspects of their spine for Magic Round but coach Wayne Bennett has elected not to include English recruit Lewis Dodd for their match against Newcastle.
The Titans have dropped million dollar man David Fifita for their match against the Bulldogs after a poor performance in Round 8.
Both players are on significant coin which has led Riccio to question the decision by South Sydney to recruit Dodd from the Super League and for the Titans to retain Fifita despite interest from rival clubs.
“It’s extraordinary,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I was as stunned as everybody else when it unfolded on Tuesday as far as the Rabbitohs spine is concerned.
“How can Lewis Dodd not (be selected)? At some point, the Rabbitohs are going to have to take responsibility for this investment.
“How long does this keep going? If he didn’t play this weekend, then when?
“I’ve watched him play in reserve grade and he’s not hopeless at all. He’s got enough talent.
“How can you invest so much money in a playmaker and then not play him when you are down on your knees.”
Dodd has played two first grade games since joining South Sydney from St Helens in the Super League. Both appearances have been off the bench including 16 minutes against the Melbourne Storm and 23 minutes against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
SENQ’s Corey Parker believes Dodd’s omission is simply because Bennett believes he isn’t up to first grade standard.
“Poor old Lewis Dodd. Wayne Bennett is clearly just not a fan. It’s as simple as that,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“He was signed under former coach Jason Demetriou. If you can’t get a start, he’s just sitting there taking his coin.
“You’d think he’d go back to the UK soon.”
Former NRL player Gorden Tallis revealed on NRL 360 that Fifita had been struggling with an ankle injury for which he had surgery during the off-season.
Riccio cast doubt over that excuse citing Fifita’s best on field display in a losing effort to the Dragons in Round 6.
“Coach Des Hasler hasn’t conceded that (Fifita’s ankle) is the issue,” Riccio added.
“He didn’t look to be struggling in Wollongong a few weeks ago against the Dragons.
“There’s no running away from the fact that this signing has been an unmitigated disaster.
“On a $1.2 million back rower, you are so dependent on the rest of the team going well to get a back rower involved in the game.
“It’s a huge investment that has been a millstone around their neck. The Titans’ inability to secure a marquee half (is concerning).
“This is a club that let Jamal Fogarty go. This is a club that let Toby Sexton go. These are halves that are currently in top four teams.
“The decision to extend him when he was in negotiations with the Sydney Roosters, I find it staggering.
“He’s there until the end of 2026 but unless they make some moves… I’d be interested to see (which teams) come to the party.”
