2022 Charity Shield: Souths kick off life without Adam Reynolds against Dragons on Saturday night

Lachlan Ilias has been attracting the headlines but, in the absence of Adam Reynolds, Souths is now Cody Walker’s team and the star playmaker is ready to pick up where he left off last year.

Cody Walker is ready to fill the void created by Adam Reynolds’ departure. Picture: Brendan Radke

Life without Adam Reynolds begins in earnest on Saturday night for South Sydney. Lachlan Ilias has been given the opportunity to wear the famed Rabbitohs No. 7 jersey in the Charity Shield against St George Illawarra in Mudgee, but this is now Cody Walker’s team.

The South Sydney No. 6 is coming off a season where he set new benchmarks for attacking excellence. Walker finished the year with a remarkable 33 try assists. Few players benefited as much from the rule changes that opened up the game.

With Reynolds now gone, Walker will call the shots for Souths and teammates believe he is ready to flourish with the added responsibility.

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Cody Walker leads his team in a traditional dance in Cairns last weekend.

Asked whether Walker could take his game to another level, teammate Jai Arrow was unequivocal.

“I have no doubt – I can’t see why not,” Arrow said.

“He is a quality player who loves the game, is passionate, he has everything you want in a rugby league player. I have no doubt why he can’t go to another level.

“He has obviously had a big part of the side over the last couple of years and I wouldn’t say anything has changed – he has been the same old Cody, blowing up at training, yelling and barking orders.

“That is what we want from him. That is the Cody we all know and love playing footy with – the passionate one who wants the best.

“We love having him around and having him in the team.”

Walker will be looking for redemption after Souths’ narrow grand final loss last year.

Arrow, like most of his teammates, has been on the receiving end of Walker’s wrath. The Rabbitohs five-eighth demands excellence, from himself and those alongside him.

“He has given me a few (serves) – not that I take them personally,” Arrow said.

“He expects you to be the best and there is nothing wrong with that. It is all in good fun. It is what it is, I don’t take that personally.

“I have always been pretty relaxed and laid-back. I don’t take things personally. If someone wants to have a crack at me, I listen and take that on board.”

While Walker is expected to fill the leadership gulf in Reynolds’ absence, Ilias gets first crack at filling the jersey. The 21-year-old scored a try on debut last season against St George Illawarra, flashing the potential that had him earmarked for the top.

The Rabbitohs wanted to keep Reynolds, but his loss was tempered by the knowledge that Ilias was lying in wait.

Lachlan Ilias has created a big impression at Souths.

“I have no doubt he will enjoy that challenge,” Arrow said.

“He is a young kid we have a lot of praise for and hasn’t missed a beat through the pre-season. He can’t do much more other than go out and perform this week.

“I have no doubt he will do that. Everyone has to help him. He played against the Dragons (last year) and scored a good try. We’re all excited for him.

“As a player, I think he has a rally good kicking game, he is very calm and collected, he does his job for the team.

“He doesn’t have to come up with those big plays. He just has to give Cody the ball as well as he can and let Cody – who I think had about 100 try assists last year – come up with those big plays.

“As a bloke he is really quiet. He manages himself well, he is a quite a specimen – he has a good rig on him. He is a good trainer, he is a real good fella who everyone gets along with and everyone has time for.”

Jai Arrow has warned the rest of the competition about Cody Walker.

As for Arrow, he is planning to start games on an edge outside Walker this year before shifting into the middle. The game plan won’t be complicated.

“It’s pretty simple – do what Cody says,” he said.

“Whatever the big man says, goes. I try to adapt off what he wants me to do, what line to run, whether he wants to give me the ball early.

“He is a big part of our side and dominant ballplayer.”