He might be 37 years of age at the start of next year, but Cody Walker is proving he is more than capable of playing on.
Walker bagged a double as South Sydney defeated Parramatta 32-12 and ruined Mitchell Moses’ 250th milestone.
The Souths five-eighth was far from the best player in the middle of CommBank Stadium. That honour belonged to Tallis Duncan, or even Brandon Smith.
But Walker is as competitive as ever and showing no signs of slowing down. He has not missed a game this year. And he remains the club’s first-choice five-eighth, and a better option than younger teammate Jayden Sullivan.
Walker is in no rush to make a call on his next move, and knows if he does not play on, he will remain at the club and transition into a coaching role.
Coach Wayne Bennett and Souths would be tempted to keep Walker on just for his experience and leadership.
If Ben Hunt was deemed good enough for another year by the Brisbane Broncos, surely Walker has it in him.
Once they work out what is happening with Walker, Souths should turn their sights to handing Duncan an extension.
One of the game’s genuine utilities, Duncan bagged a double, set up Ed Kosi for a second-half try, and came up with arguably the tackle of the game when he stopped Sean Russell near the tryline just before half-time.
If Duncan’s try-saver did not deserve top honours, Ashton Ward’s stop on Ronnie Volkman would have gone close.
Souths raced out to a 12-0 lead after as many minutes when Walker strolled through some soft defence, and Euan Aitken did likewise past Jordan Samrani.
The sight of Samrani falling off Aitken was enough to make Parramatta coach Jason Ryles launch the walkie-talkie into the desk and storm off to the back of the coaches’ box.
The Eels got back into the game, and finished the first half with all the possession and field position.
Brian Kelly hit back for the home side when he caught a looping Moses pass and stepped in-field past four Souths defenders.
The Eels drew level just after the break when Tallyn Da Silva crossed next to the posts, but when Kelma Tuilagi spilled the ball on the first tackle deep in his own half, it felt like the beginning of the end for the blue and golds. From that moment they seemed rushed, pushed silly passes, and almost like they were playing catch-up football, even though there was plenty of time to mount a comeback.
Who knows what to make of the Eels who have been ravaged by injuries, and will now be asked to beat Manly without Moses next weekend.
The Bunnies sit higher up the ladder, meet Penrith next Friday without Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To’o and possibly Liam Martin, and just need a touch of luck with injuries.
Skipper Cameron Murray stayed down late in the game and sent a scare through the Souths – and NSW – camp after he copped a decent legal blow to the ribs from Brian Kelly, but was soon back to his feet and doing “Cameron Murray” things.
