Cody Walker is the first to admit he hasn’t always kept a cool head on the field. But his kick at Penrith rival Jack Cogger earlier this season was a step too far.
Walker described the brain snap as a “line-in-the-sand moment”. He accepted a one-match ban, but the incident had a more profound effect on the South Sydney playmaker.
It finally dawned on the veteran five-eighth teammates that his disciplinary lapses were letting down his teammates and embarrassing his two teenage boys who regularly attend games. It even led to the club parking contract talks about him playing on another season.
Souths can book a finals berth with a win over the Gold Coast on Saturday, on what promises to be an emotional afternoon. Jai Arrow will lead the team out for appearance No.99 then be substituted before kick-off.
The Bunnies have benefited from Walker’s increased composure the past month, and the 36-year-old was honest about the need to change.
“There have been moments in the game this year, and throughout my whole career, where I’d like my time over again, and the Jack Cogger incident, that was unacceptable,” Walker said.
“I probably didn’t understand the effect that it would have on those close to me. My boys got put in the spotlight, I didn’t like that, and I didn’t like it upset them. They heard a few people from the crowd that were saying stuff and things like that, which is disappointing, but it is what it is, right?
“That incident hit home for me.”
Walker said he had weekly meetings with the club’s head of wellbeing, Ian Reeves, and the pair had put plans in place for when rival teams tried to get under his skin.
“I catch up with him and chat about a few things here and there every week, just once a week, and I let a few things out; whether something is pissing me off or not, anything like that, it’s just about having a bit of a plan in place on how I’ll deal with it.
“I was probably under the impression that teams would be silly not to actually go at me. I’ve accepted that. I’ve just got to find a way to react in a different way, and not put my kids and team under pressure. The team doesn’t need that that type of behaviour from me.”
Walker entered the season unsure if he wanted to play on beyond this year, but realises he is mentally and physically ready for a 12th season in the top flight. By doing so, Walker will also give young five-eighth Taj Alvarez another 12 months to learn his trade.
Walker said he had reached out to former teammate Benji Marshall for advice, while fellow veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Adam Reynolds, who will bow out of the NRL at the end of the season, both urged the late bloomer to play on.
“My advice to anyone in the game is if you have the opportunity to keep going, keep going,” Cherry-Evans said this week.
“I’d never tell someone how to think. The reasons I play the game is because I love the game of rugby league, I enjoy competing on game day, and I enjoy the camaraderie. If you can keep going. You’re a long time retired.”
Reynolds said his close friend still had plenty to offer. “You have to remember he didn’t debut until he was 26, so he hasn’t had all those bashings like you would when you’re starting out as a teenager,” Reynolds said. “He’s settled off the field, and that translates to him playing well on the field. He’s a big reason Souths are in the eight and fighting for a title.”
Walker will become the oldest player in the NRL should he feature in 2027 and has already copped regular “old unc” sledges from Souths teammates. “I feel like I’m mentally ready to play on again,” he said. “I’m feeling good about my personal form at the moment, and I feel I can handle another year.
“I’m keen to play again. I’m sure the club and my management will sit down when the time’s right to come up with a bit of a plan on what that looks like.
“I spoke to Benji last week about what his thoughts were when he was coming to the end of his career, and he offered some advice, which was reassuring. He said, ‘Mate, I don’t think you should retire’, which sort of gave me the confidence that I can do it again.”
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