NRL 2021: South Sydney’s Cody Walker being deliberately targeted by NRL rivals say teammates

He may be known for his competitive, even chirpy, playing style, but Souths players insist Cody Walker is the victim of NRL baiting tactics.

The sledge that led to the Cody Walker-Lachlan Lewis incident can be revealed.

South Sydney star Cody Walker knows Lachlan Lewis will not be the last player who tries to put him off his game in 2021, with the club convinced their No.6 has now become a baiting target for NRL rivals.

In bizarre scenes last Sunday, Bulldogs playmaker Lewis was cited for ‘contrary conduct’ by the NRL match review committee after tackling Walker after the halftime siren.

The incident sparked a scuffle between the two teams, with Lewis eventually sin-binned in a contest won by Souths 32-24.

While it has been suggested Walker triggered the incident by telling the Dogs No. 6 to “go back to reserve grade”, the Rabbitohs believe the incident is part of a growing trend to try and bait one of the game’s most exciting players.

Asked about the Lewis brain snap on Tuesday, Souths hooker Damien Cook said: “He (Walker) is still a bit confused about what happened.

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Canterbury's Lachlan Lewis trades barbs with Cody Walker as they walk off at halftime. Source – Fox Sports

“It was a bit weird, and there was no real aggression or intent with the wrestle either.

“It was a bit of a cuddle.

“So it’s definitely one of the stranger ones I’ve seen.

“(But) there are times where people try to get a bite out of Cody. And he understands people are going to try and target him.”

Cook suggested rivals were trying to bait Walker because of his current standing as one of the most dangerous attacking players in the NRL.

“People know Cody is very competitive,” he continued. “And they want to try and upset him because he is one of the best players in the game at the moment.

“Especially in attack, he’s been unstoppable.

“So people are going to want to throw him off his game.

“But Cody’s a senior player here now. He is running the show here and people will have to do a better job than that.”

Asked about the five-eighth’s demeanour in such situations, Cook continued: “I know you see the aggressive and competitive side of Cody, but he’s pretty calm and controlled.

Cody Walker in action against the Canterbury Bulldogs during their Round 18 clash on the Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“People obviously try to say stuff to him and he doesn’t mind a bit of banter here and there. But that’s as far as it goes unless someone tries to get into him.

“And you’ve seen what he does, he gets back at them with shape and setting up tries … that’s what he has been doing.”

Cook also revealed that, during the halftime Round 18 incident, he had been forced to tell a Bulldogs player acting as ball to stay away from the melee.

“I was actually telling him to get out,” the NSW Origin star said. “Trying to look after him to be honest.

“I don’t know why the ball boy would try to get involved? It’s only going to make things worse for the Dogs if that got picked up (by the TV cameras) so I was trying to look after him there.”

With seven competition rounds to play, Melbourne are in first place on 32 points, equal with Penrith but ahead on differential.

Souths are third on 30 points, one win ahead of Parramatta.

“So we’re building nicely,” Cook said. “We understand there are the top two sides in the competition and I believe we’re the best of the rest.

“I’ve got no doubt we can give this competition a real good shot.”

So as for who, right now, he thinks should be title favourites?

“Penrith,” he said. “I was lucky enough to spend some time with the Panthers boys in Origin camp so I understand why they are at that level and playing so well.”

Revealed: Walker sledge that made Lewis snap

By Dean Ritchie and Adam Mobbs

South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker triggered Sunday’s bizarre halftime incident with Lachlan Lewis by telling the Bulldogs five-eighth: “Go back to reserve grade.”

The taunt infuriated Lewis, who tackled Walker to the ground as players left the field, causing a melee which resulted in the Bulldogs half being sin-binned.

Lewis was cited by the NRL match review committee for contrary conduct on Monday and faces a fine of $1600 with an early plea or $2400 if he fights the charge and loses.

Multiple well-placed sources alleged Walker used colourful language to tell Lewis, in no uncertain terms, to “go back to reserve grade”.

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Cody Walker has words with Lachlan Lewis before they tussle.

The sledge refers to Lewis having played four NRL matches this season and five NSW Cup games for Mounties.

It was a pointed barb with Lewis, who is only 24, off-contract at the end of this season and without a deal for 2022.

With NSW Cup currently suspended due to Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak, Lewis is unable to go back to reserve grade, although Sydney NRL clubs are seeking to have players join Queensland Cup sides.

The incident came at halftime, after Souths tried to run an audacious last-second play, where Walker was brought to ground by Canterbury duo Will Hopoate and Nick Meaney.

Lewis rushed in to help his Bulldogs teammates to their feet, when Walker looked up and directed an inaudible spray in his direction.

As Lewis headed for the dressing room, he gave Walker a tap on the backside to which the Rabbitohs No.6 took issue, turned and gave Lewis another verballing.

It was at that point when Lewis took Walker down.

Lachlan Lewis takes Cody Walker down. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Lewis is likely to bump into Walker over coming weeks with the Bulldogs and Rabbitohs in the Mercure Gold Coast hub, along with the Eels, Raiders and Warriors.

Canterbury management denied a request for Lewis to be interviewed with club CEO Aaron Warburton claiming the exchange was “friendly banter on the field” and the club “didn’t want to give this any more airtime, with respect.”

Walker sidestepped questions about the heated moment immediately after the game when Fox Sports’ Matty Johns asked him: “What the hell was going on with Lachlan Lewis?”
“I don’t know man, I wouldn’t have a clue,” Walker said. ”He just said then … whatever. It’s in the past. What happens on the footy field stays on there.”

The NRL made discreet inquiries into the matter to ensure any on-field comments didn’t contravene the game’s anti-vilification code.

The match review committee was planning to listen to the on-field audio during the moment leading up to the incident.

The incident sparked a melee after the halftime siren sounded.

South Sydney CEO Blake Solly was unaware of the on-field comment but described Walker and Lewis as “cheeky buggers.”

Lewis’ famous uncle, Wally, was surprised at his nephew’s on-field behaviour.

“Why did he do it? I’ve got no idea,” Wally said. “It was very unusual. I don’t know what was said.”

Lewis’ manager Luke Lombardi said his client’s reaction was “out of character.”

During commentary on Fox Sports, Panthers great Greg Alexander, after witnessing Lewis tackle Walker, said: “That’s one of the craziest things I’ve seen in a long time.”

At the post-game media conference, Canterbury coach Trent Barrett was left to explain why his playmaker was dragged into such an unusual moment.

“Obviously something’s happened for him to react like that. And it hurt us – they scored a try and kicked a penalty goal while he was on the field,” Barrett said.

“It was disappointing, but that wasn’t the reason we lost the game. We had our chances to win it.”