Charity Shield: Cody Walker ignites Rabbitohs to 18-14 win over Dragons

LUKE Keary’s turbulent pre-season has taken another twist with South Sydney unearthing future star five-eighth Cody Walker in their Charity Shield win.

Cody Walker breaks free for Souths during the South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons Charity Shield game at ANZ Stadium. pic Mark Evans

PREMIERSHIP-winning five-eighth Luke Keary is headed for a showdown on the Gold Coast next weekend.

Not with the Titans, but his South Sydney teammates.

The 24-year-old’s turbulent pre-season took another twist on Saturday night, when in the jumper Keary wore to glory in the 2014 grand final, Nowra-born Cody Walker inspired the Rabbitohs to a Charity Shield victory over St George-Illawarra.

Forced to endure an embarrassing tirade from Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe during a “bonding session” at his Coffs Harbour property last month, the off-contract Keary has been left to prepare for season 2016 under a cloud of speculation over his immediate playing future at Souths.

And if his late scratching from Saturday night’s annual battle between the two clubs with a hip injury wasn’t ill-timed enough, Keary’s hopes of retaining his six jumper once he serves a round one suspension, hanging over from last season, took a devastating blow following the blistering performance by Walker.

Originally signed by the Bunnies as cover for Keary and halfback Adam Reynolds, Walker looks set to be the first half chosen by South coach Michael Maguire if Saturday night’s effort is anything to go by.

“I was impressed with the way he went tonight,’’ Maguire said.

Cody Walker breaks free for the Rabbitohs against the Dragons at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Mark Evans

“He’s had a great pre-season. He’ll get another opportunity up on the Gold Coast and we’ll work out which way we go from there.

“That’s (tough decisions to make) what you want in the club. My senior players and I sit down and talk about those decisions and the next trial will once again be an opportunity for our players to show what they’ve got.’’

Playing 70 minutes in the Bunnies’ four-point win, Walker provided the energy and spark for a Souths side without a host of their biggest name stars including Keary, Reynolds, Greg Inglis, Alex Johnston and the Burgess trio Sam, George and Thomas.

Partnering a bulked-up John Sutton in the halves, Walker produced several incisive runs, including a 40-metre sprint which led to a second-half try to a rookie centre with the coolest name in the NRL, Ed Murphy.

Cody Walker provided the spark for Souths against the Dragons.

Walker’s name has been the buzz word of the summer at Redfern and on Saturday night it was easy to see why.

“He’s got that knack to turn something out of nothing and he showed that tonight with a few line-breaks,’’ Sutton said.

“I look forward to seeing what he can do next week.’’

Maguire confirmed Keary would be available for the trial against the Titans at Pizzey Park on the Gold Coast next Saturday. It leaves the off-contract half just 80 minutes to convince his coach he deserves to retain a position in the starting halves upon his return in round two.

Walker wasn’t the only a shining light for Souths with former beach sprint champion and Canterbury Bulldogs recruit Damian Cook, proving there is life at Souths after Isaac Luke.

Luke’s move to the New Zealand Warriors was considered a devastating blow for the Bunnies, but the explosive Cook looks up to the task of filling the sizeable void left by the Test rake.

Cook kept the Dragons defence on their heels throughout the match, while his kicking game was also noteworthy.

Damien Cook was another player to impress for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Mark Evans

Like Souths, the Dragons were also without their guns. Gareth Widdop, Josh Dugan, Tyson Frizzel and Joel Thompson all missed the match.

Saints coach Paul McGregor was noticeably disappointed after the match.

After such a physical off-season and a recruitment drive based on beefing up his pack, McGregor felt his side were beaten “on the ground” and “in the wrestle” while he also loathed their completion rate.

“We’ve got some work to do,’’ McGregor said.

Asked what were the positives, he replied; “No injuries.’’

The Rabbitohs led 6-4 at half-time after a fourth minute try to Sutton. Second-half tries to Kirisome A’va and Murphy ensured their victory. For the Dragons, Euan Aitken and Warriors recruit Siliva Havili, both crossed for tries.

Russell Packer improved in his first hit-out for the Dragons.

Originally published as Charity Shield: Cody Walker ignites Rabbitohs to 18-14 win over Dragons