Life hasn’t been the same for Lewis Dodd since a nice swing of his left boot put St. Helens on top of the world.
“I do get recognized more,” admits the man who won the World Club Challenge for Saints in Australia seven weeks ago with a gold point. “People come up to me and ask about the drop goal and how it felt.
“It’s a huge moment in the club’s history, but I’m lucky to be the one who kicked the drop goal. The other guys who played that day are also a huge part of our history. For what we’ve done, when you walk around town you’ll be proud to wear this badge and say you play for St Helens.’
Remarkably, Dodd says he hasn’t looked back on the game against NRL champions Penrith Panthers in which Saints became the first English club side to win Down Under since Wigan in 1994. scroll through social media.
“I never looked for it,” says the 21-year-old Sports mail. “It was a good time to be alive. It’s definitely the best moment of my career so far.
Lewis Dodd’s stunning drop goal sealed Australia’s St Helens’ World Club Challenge victory
The win made the Saints the first British side to win the game in Australia since 1994
“But we have a full season and the rest of the Super League is improving and coming after us. Maybe I can look back on the highlights of the season and that drop goal after we won another Grand Final.”
The rest of the Super League can consider itself warned. Saints may have suffered surprise defeats to Leeds and Leigh on their return from Australia, but they have since won three games on the spin as they chase a record-extending fifth successive domestic crown.
“We always knew there would be a hangover from the trip,” said Dodd, one of Super League’s brightest young talents. “We haven’t performed anywhere close to where we can.
“But week after week we are getting better. That drive to win more and more is the best thing about this group. Once we’ve won a trophy, we move on to the next one.”
Saints’ dominance is unparalleled in the Super League era, but it is Wigan who hold the record for the most consecutive championships in British rugby league history, winning seven in a row from 1990 to 1996.
On Friday, Lancashire’s rivals will compete at DW Stadium in their traditional Easter derby, with the third-placed Warriors sitting a spot above Saints at the table and desperate to knock them off their perches.
“When you get through the system at Saints it doesn’t matter what age group you are in, the Saints-Wigan derby was always the most important game of the year and the first one you looked forward to when the games came out,” says the in Widnes born Dodd. who joined the club at the age of 14.
“Growing up I always wanted to watch the derby. You knew it was going to be brutal and you have the best skills. Super League is at its best when Saints and Wigan are both at the top.’
However, this fixture also holds painful memories for Dodd. It was during last year’s Good Friday encounter when he tore his Achilles tendon, ruling him out for the rest of a season, including the home World Cup.
“It was probably the hardest thing I’ve been through,” he says. “It was a bittersweet moment to see us win the grand final and the World Cup was hard to miss. I would have done anything to be there.
“But the lessons I learned being injured I could never have played week in, week out. I tried to understand the game more like a half back by listening to people and watching videos.
“I remember talking to the physio right before my surgery and saying, ‘I’ll be back better than I was,’ and I believe I am.”
However, not even Dodd could have dreamed how well his return would go. That decisive drop goal against Penrith came back in his first competitive game, with his all-round performance drawing the attention of a host of NRL clubs that night.
Last week it was announced he had signed for Australian players agency SFX Sports, fueling rumors of a move to Down Under. So, would he like to play in the NRL one day? “I can’t say no, I can’t say yes, because I’m here for the next 18 months and my focus is here,” Dodd replies.
“It wouldn’t be right of me to think about anything else when there are six trophies to be won for this club. Until then, I will dedicate my heart and soul to this club and this group of guys.’
Injury meant Dodd missed the chance to participate in the Saints’ 2022 Grand Final victory
Saints defeated Leeds Rhinos to claim their fourth consecutive title at Old Trafford
At just 21 years old, the player has a bright future, which could include a move to Down Under
Dodd gives a similar answer when asked if he would ever see himself breaking codes. He grew up playing rugby union and league and actually almost lost to the 15-a-side game as a teenager.
“When I was 15 I was invited to train with Sale Sharks,” he reveals. “It was definitely an option and definitely something I was looking at. But in the end, with my love for rugby league and love for this club, it became a no brainer.’
Dodd’s decision has paid off so far. He only turned 21 in January, but already has a resume that is the envy of most of his colleagues. Now he is about to tick off another milestone by making his international debut against France at the end of this month.
“If I get to wear the England shirt, it will be the greatest honor for me and my family,” added Dodd.
2023 is proving to be quite a year for the young Saints star.