A significant half-back hunt by St Helens may soon begin as a result of rumours that Lewis Dodd will join the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the NRL in 2025.
The Saints offered Dodd a contract extension, but he seems to have decided to start over in Australia with the Bunnies. As a result, the team will be searching for a new half-back to partner with Jonny Lomax in 2019.
Options exist on both sides of the globe, and the club will undoubtedly consider some internal options as well. Here’s a summary of potential outcomes and the person who might wear the number seven shirt for the Saints in 2025.
Super League: Jordan Abdull
The Saints actually don’t have many Super League players available on free contracts, at least not in terms of the calibre Paul Wellens’ team will be looking for.
One choice, though, does stand out: even if his parent club contract isn’t up. Jordan Abdull doesn’t seem to be Willie Peters’ first choice at Hull KR, as Tyrone May and Mikey Lewis are clearly the team’s top choices. This year marks the end of Abdull’s loan agreement with Catalans, and it is unclear what will happen next.
Abdull, who is only 28 years old and has a potent kicking game, might be a player the Saints are interested in signing.
NRL: Brandon Wakeham
The Fijian international has never hidden his candidature regarding a potential move to the Super League, saying as much when he was in England for the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.
Wakeham, who is still only 25 years old, is a player for the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in the New South Wales Cup this year. There may be visa issues given Wakeham’s 15 Wests appearances last season, but if he were available, Wakeham is a player who would undoubtedly catch the attention of many elite teams.
It seems likely that Hawkins and Lachlan Ilias will be the ones pushed out when Dodd moves to the Bunnies in 2025.
While Hawkins’ agent has already stated this year that Super League interest in the half-back is very real and very alive, Ilias is likely to command interest from NRL clubs and stay Down Under. Is he a possibility for the Saints to consider in a trade that would essentially replace Dodd?
NRL: Jake Clifford
As anyone who watched Super League last year will attest, Clifford is a player of undeniable quality, even though he has yet to appear for the North Queensland Cowboys in 2024 since returning to the NRL.
In an otherwise disappointing Hull FC team, Clifford was a true bright spot, so his return to Australia wasn’t all that surprising. However, would a return to the Super League be appealing if he finds it difficult to play regularly in Australia this season? And would the Saints be interested in that, if so?
The Saints have options within in addition to prospective players available on the international market. Among them is switching their best player from fullback to the halves.
Welsby has a tonne of experience as a half-back; in fact, he represented England at a home World Cup. Welsby would naturally be moved to the 7 alongside Lomax, giving Jon Bennison the opportunity to play at fullback, which is his preferred position.
The Saints actually have a highly-rated asset coming through the ranks, so they really just need a temporary stopgap for the next year or two.
Internal: George Whitby
Now, for George Whitby, a very highly-rated half-back coming out of the St. Helens academy, 2025 might be a year too soon.
Since he is a second-year product, he may continue to play academy rugby in the upcoming year. He has, however, already participated in multiple reserve grade games this season and was even included in a Saints first-team preseason friendly squad.
Could 2025 be the year Whitby receives a more gentle introduction to first-team rugby instead of a long-term plan to entrust him with a starting shirt? Welsby and Moses Mbye can both fill in admirably at half-back.
