Cody Walker has vowed to play his entire NRL career at South Sydney, denying he is on the move despite signing a minimum one-year contract extension.
The 32-year-old playmaker would have been on the NRL’s open market from November 1, but the Bunnies managed to get a deal done at the 11th hour to tie him to the cardinal and myrtle until the end of 2023.
It ended speculation Walker would leave the burrow and head north to join Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins next year.
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But the fact he only penned a one-year extension creates intrigue in itself. Walker, though, says he isn’t planning on going anywhere in 2024 either.
“I don’t think it was ever an option,” Walker told 9News regarding a move to the Dolphins.
“I’ve said very openly how much I love playing for the (Rabbitohs), I love the local community in south Sydney so I feel like it’s home for me.”
Walker accepted the one-year deal, which his former halves partner Adam Reynolds could not.
Reynolds refused to sign the minimum offer, and instead went to the Broncos on a longer-term deal.
Now South Sydney needs a new halfback, and 21-year-old Lachlan Ilias looms as the first choice.
Walker can see plenty of similarities between Ilias and his predecessor.
“I think they are pretty similar players, in terms of being that little general, getting the team around the park,” Walker said of the two halfbacks.
“Great kicking games, both of them. and really love that halfback style of play.
“(Ilias is) quite a specimen, he’s got a good rig and he’s a pretty strong little fella.”
Reynolds will come face to face with Walker and the Rabbitohs when they open their NRL season at Suncorp Stadium on March 11.