AUSTRALIA-bound scrum half Lewis Dodd has taken to Instagram to post his thank yous to the club, players and fans as he prepares to fly to the other side of the world.

The 22-year-old Widnesian, who famously dropped the winning goal in the World Club Challenge game at Penrith in 2023, has signed a three-year deal with NRL outfit South Sydney Rabbitohs.

He now takes on a new challenge in the NRL but has signed off by posting a message for those he wished to thank for getting him this far on his journey. 

Dodd wrote: "St Helens RFC took me in as a 14-year-old boy and I will be leaving a man.

"You’ve made me a person my family are proud of - and for that I’ll be forever grateful to everyone at the club.

"Through all the tough times and the good times, I’ve made friends for life and memories for a lifetime.

"I look forward to watching the boys and the club doing what they do best next year.

"To the Saints fans, a massive thank you, not only for this year but since my first day as a St Helens player you followed and supported me and the boys through thick and thin.

"I will always be grateful for that."

A graduate of the Saints youth system, having come through the club's Scholarship and Academy, Dodd made his senior debut in the 2020 season.

His breakthrough year came in 2021, when Theo Fages broke his shoulder, making the half-back spot his own, earning the 7 Saints shirt from the following season.

After suffering an Achilles injury on Good Friday 2022, he missed most  of that season.

He made his return in in the 2023 World Club Challenge, writing his name into the history books with his Golden Point Extra Time winner.

Dodd played 88 times for St Helens, scoring 30 tries, kicking 13 goals and two drop-goals.

In doing so he played his part in the Saints securing three Super League titles, a League Leaders' Shield, and a Challenge Cup trophy.