NRL 2020 finals draw, fixtures, schedule: Why Cody Walker is Souths’ best ever five-eighth
Since 1908, the Rabbitohs have been the most decorated club in rugby league, with 21 premierships and a plethora great players on the honour board. Yet Cody Walker is the best five-eighth of the lot.
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WEEK ONE NRL FINALS
(1) PANTHERS v ROOSTERS (4) at Panthers Stadium — Friday (8pm)
(5) RAIDERS v SHARKS (8) at GIO Stadium — Saturday (5.40pm)
(2) STORM v EELS (3) at Suncorp Stadium — Saturday (7.40pm)
(6) RABBITOHS V KNIGHTS (7) at ANZ Stadium — Sunday (4pm)
WHY RABBITS CAN WIN IT
South Sydney’s Cody Walker is the greatest five-eighth to have ever played for the famous club.
That’s the stunning praise from Rabbitohs legend Bob McCarthy who believes Souths can ride all the way to the grand final on the back of the brilliant playmaker who boasts a superior pass to Wally Lewis.
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“He’s the greatest five-eighth ever and we (Souths) had two Test players when we won all the comps (1967, 1970 and 1971) in (Jimmy) Lisle and Denis Pittard,’’ McCarthy said.
“They weren’t ball-players like Cody.
“Jimmy was a rugby player who could pass the ball and back-up and Pittard was a great ball-runner.
“I said to ‘Tugger’ (Craig Coleman) a couple of weeks ago that Cody was the best and he said, ‘What about Phil Blake?’
“But I said mate, ‘he was only a chip and chaser, he didn’t set them up like this bloke (Walker).
“He just makes things so easy plus he scores them. He’s on a roll and that’s what will make us hard to beat.’’
Written-off after star fullback Latrell Mitchell (hamstring) was ruled out for the season four weeks ago, faint hope of the club’s second title in six years has turned to a steely belief on the streets of Redfern.
And it’s all because of the brilliant Walker — who with his lethal combination with halfback Adam Reynolds, conspired against a hapless Roosters on Friday night to produce two tries, 11 tackle busts and four try-assists in one of the finest individual performances of the season.
“He’s the greatest five-eighth ever and we (Souths) had two Test players when we won all the comps (1967, 1970 and 1971) in (Jimmy) Lisle and Denis Pittard,’’
Many, including McCarthy and fellow club icon John Sattler, claim the Rabbitohs are genuine title-contenders and as such, can do what no team has done since Canterbury in 1995 and advance to the grand final after finishing the regular season outside the top-four.
“They’re playing with real direction, they know exactly where they’re going,’’ Sattler said.
“The way they played (against the Roosters), they definitely can make it (to the grand final).”
The Bunnies secured sixth-position on the NRL ladder by recording an historic 60-8 thrashing of arch-rivals the Roosters and will now host seventh-placed Newcastle in an elimination final at ANZ Stadium next weekend.
So devastating were the Rabbitohs on Friday night, the TAB have reacted by crunching their premiership odds from $34 before kick-off against the tri-colours to $17.
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After their embarrassing loss, the Roosters have relinquished title favoritism and now $3.75 equal-favourites with Melbourne.
The Sunday Telegraph can confirm minor premiers Penrith will launch the NRL finals series against the Roosters at Panthers Stadium on Friday night.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, the second-placed Storm will use Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for their qualifying final clash with the third-placed Eels.
Parramatta narrowly avoided slipping out of the top-four by finishing over the top of the brave Tigers on Saturday night.
In a precursor to next Saturday, eighth-placed Cronulla — who need to find a dramatic form revival — will hit the road to Canberra after going down 38-28 to a rookie Raiders side at Kogarah Oval in the final round.
Yet it was the Rabbitohs’ stunning statement — and the performance of Walker on Friday night — that has Souths fans salivating for their clash with the Knights.
McCarthy, who won three premierships with Souths and is a deserved inductee of rugby league’s Hall of Fame, said the Rabbitohs five-eighth boasted a superior better passing-game than that of “The King” Lewis.
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“Cody is about the only bloke in the game, who can run left and right and throw the ball for 30-metres and hit you right on the chest,” McCarthy said.
“Everyone can pass to the left, but not a lot can pass as well to the right.
“Even Wally Lewis couldn’t pass to the right — he had to turn his back to throw a rocket pass. Cody when he goes left or right, he just hits them right on the chest all the time.”
It will be the Knights’ first playoffs series in seven years and rookie coach Adam O’Brien’s first compared to his rival and supercoach Wayne Bennett’s 69th finals match. The Knights must react following their shocking 36-6 loss to the Gold Coast on Friday.
— David Riccio
HEALTH CHECK: EVERY FINALS CLUB’S ROSTER RATED
PANTHERS A+
You can’t be in a better position – top of the table and the cleanest bill of health of any club – allowing Ivan Cleary to choose from his best available squad. Only missing rookie Charlie Staines (hamstring) who would struggle to make the top team.
STORM A+
Despite missing a full team of first-graders to play the Dragons on Sunday, the Storm are in great shape. They are hopeful Dale Finucane (calf) and Suli Vunivalu (hamstring) will be right for their first finals game. Centre Marion Seve (knee) is their only long-term injury.
ROOSTERS C
Have been without premiership winners Victor Radley and Sam Verrills (both knee) for a large chunk of the year and won’t see them again this season. Now face the prospect of being without Jake Friend (face) which would leave them with their fourth choice hooker. Are also without Billy Smith (knee).
EELS B+
Are really hurting without five-eighth Dylan Brown (ankle) who at best will play in their second finals game. Ray Stone (thumb) and Marata Niukore (ribs) should be back next week but Peni Terepo (personal reasons) won’t play this year.
RAIDERS C-
Have a long list of injuries headlined by co-captain Josh Hodgson (knee). Hodgson, Curtis Scott (foot), Corey Horsburgh (foot), Emre Guler (ankle) and Bailey Simonsson (shoulder) won’t play this year, really testing the depth of the Raiders roster. Ryan Sutton (knee) is also on the sideline.
KNIGHTS D
Multiple injuries in key positions. The Knights have lost playmakers Connor Watson (Achilles), Jayden Brailey (knee), Blake Green (knee) and Andrew McCullough (hamstring) for the season. Throw in Origin prop Tim Glasby (concussion) and the Knights’ roster is stretched. Expect Lachlan Fitzgibbon (groin) and Tex Hoy (hamstring) back for their opening finals game.
RABBITOHS D+
Another club with a long list of injuries. Starting outside backs Latrell Mitchell (hamstring), James Roberts (pectoral) and Braidon Burns (knee) won’t play again. Origin back-rower Ethan Lowe (neck) and prop Tom Amone (knee) won’t be back but Jaydn Su’a’s one game suspension ended on Friday night.
SHARKS C
Another club with big outs and haven’t been able to choose from their top 17 all year. Shaun Johnson (Achilles) and Matt Moylan (hamstring) are gone while they are also without Royce Hunt (knee), Cameron King (knee) and Bronson Xerri (suspended). Chad Townsend will return after a three game ban.
— Michael Carayannis
Originally published as NRL 2020 finals draw, fixtures, schedule: Why Cody Walker is Souths’ best ever five-eighth