Blink and you’ll miss Cody Walker’s wizardry

Livewire five-eighth Cody Walker found his mojo in stunning fashion at ANZ Stadium against the Dragons to leave rivals with no doubt that the electric playmaker is back to his best.

Cody Walker was in stunning form for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Cameron Spencer

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When watching Cody Walker, the same rules apply as for a heavyweight title fight.

Don’t move.

Or more specifically, blink.

Hell, even that next beer now calling your name from the kitchen fridge ... wait for the end of the round.

For that knockout blow, you just know it has to be coming.

Like when Walker gets to the outside of his opposite man.

Or dummies, then runs.

Whatever.

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Cody Walker was in stunning form for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Cameron Spencer

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Every time he gets the ball, a KO seems imminent.

Which is good news for Bunnies fans.

Understanding, that for the past few weeks this indigenous livewire has appeared a tad, err, subdued.

Like maybe his contentious dumping from the NSW Origin side, back in June - after just one game, and in the wake of that Advance Australia Fair controversy - had somehow stolen a little of the magic dust fuelling this most elusive of NRL footballers.

But not anymore.

No, against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium, Walker played a key hand in three tries, including the winner on fulltime, to get his side home in arguably the greatest finish of 2019.

A performance, coach Wayne Bennett said afterwards, he had felt building for weeks.

Walker crossed for a classy solo try. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

Asked if he had been worried about the impact of said Origin dumping on his star playmaker, Bennett replied: “I wasn’t worried about it.

“I knew that’s where he would be.

“So I just had to make sure I didn’t destroy any more of his confidence and make him feel that he wasn’t valued.

“And I’ve been happy to do that over the past few weeks.

“I made Cody captain when a couple of other guys probably could have been. I thought he needed the challenge and I knew that would help him. It’s just patience, you’ve got to be patient with him.”

So he felt undervalued after Origin?

The playmaker has found his form coming into finals footy. Picture: Dan Himbrechts

“I don’t know but when someone rejects you, how are you feeling?” Bennett continued. “Jumping through hoops?

“I’d hope not.

“We all feel that when those moments happen to us and he’s no different. But he knows his value to South Sydney and that’s what matters.”

Walker agreed.

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“Oh, look, it was tough to be honest,” conceded the five-eighth whose only blemish in this one was allowing Cameron McInnes to land on a loose ball late. “But I just wanted to get back to the way I was playing previously.

“And over the past few weeks, I’ve had glimpses.

“But I was carrying a couple of niggling injuries too so, while I would’ve loved being part of Origin, being able to get those byes really was a blessing in disguise.

“It’s allowed me to freshen up and get back to playing the footy I know I’m capable of.”

Like in the first half, when the No.6 who plays on the left suddenly bobbed up on the right, throwing a beautiful pass for winger Dane Gagai. Or after the break, when the most dangerous Walker outside Texas Ranger threw a dummy, got outside Dragons fullback Corey Norman, then over.

And no prize for guessing whose long ball iced the game on fulltime.

His message to NRL rivals: Don’t blink.

Originally published as Blink and you’ll miss Cody Walker’s wizardry