Source : the age
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.
This looked like anyone’s game at 12-all early in the second half but it was all one-way traffic since then, South Sydney outclassing the Eels on the way to a 20-point victory.
Cody Walker and Tallis Duncan were both excellent on the way to two tries each, Keaon Koloamatangi had a whopping 213 run metres up front, and Cameron Murray and David Fifita both notched more than 150 metres.
The result continues an unwanted record for Mitchell Moses in his milestone games – he’s now lost his first, 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th NRL games.
Full-time: Rabbitohs beat Eels 32-12
The Eels look set to grab a consolation try but instead Alex Johnston grabs an intercept and pops an offload to Cameron Murray, who brushes out of an attempted tackle and charges upfield to start a counter-attack. He’s brought down but Souths send it wide on the next play, David Fifita showing nice hands to get a quick pass away to Tallis Duncan who runs over for his second try of the match.
Rabbitohs 32, Eels 12 with four minutes left
Souths fullback Jye Gray has copped a knock in a head clash with Sean Russell and gone off for an HIA – and also might have an issue with his jaw. Tevita Tatola replaces him so they’ll reshuffle things at the back.
But his team is rolling on regardless, getting a repeat set, then a full set of six, and another set restart on the last tackle. It feels just about impossible for the Eels to hold them out now, and they eventually crack – Cody Walker shapes to pass, spots Mitch Moses take off early to cover the outside, so the Rabbitohs No.6 runs himself and crosses for his second try of the game.
Rabbitohs 26, Eels 12 with 16 minutes left
It’s been a big few minutes for Edward Kosi, who now snaps up an intercept from well inside his own half and charges upfield. For a winger, the 115kg Kosi possesses more power than pace, so he’s chased down by the time he reaches the Eels’ 30 metres.
But the Rabbitohs make use of this momentum, sending it right to Tallis Duncan who slices through himself after setting up Kosi a few moments earlier. Duncan has been arguably the Rabbitohs’ best tonight, as a second-rower shifting into the centres.
And now there’s some drama with the bunker taking a look at a possible eight-point try. Eels centre Sean Russell, while attempting a try-saving tackle on Duncan, strikes Duncan’s face with his boot, so he’s on report and the Rabbitohs will get a couple of shots at goal here. That looks accidental so he might not have a case to answer with the match review committee.
In any case, Latrell Siegwalt misses his first shot at goal badly so it’s only going to be a six-point try after all.
Rabbitohs 22, Eels 12 with 26 minutes left
A few errors from each side now, Brandon Smith forces a turnover with a big tackle on Kelma Tuilagi, and the Rabbitohs capitalise with a right-side shift, Tallis Duncan shrugging through a Josh Addo-Carr tackle then passing to winger Edward Kosi who scores in the corner.
Latrell Siegwalt has the first missed conversion attempt of the night, so it’s only a four-point Rabbitohs advantage. Don’t be surprised if the lead changes hands again once or twice tonight.
Rabbitohs 16, Eels 12 with 31 minutes left
Souths take no risks with their first set of the second half but Parramatta have a stronger first set which culminates in a Mitch Moses bomb – and Sean Russell beats Edward Kosi to bring it down, then offloads to Kitione Kautoga, who sends Tallyn Da Silva over for a try.
What a start. Suddenly this game is all square.
Eels 12, Rabbitohs 12 with 37 minutes left
