NRL 2024: Cody Walker opens up on Jason Demetriou exit and South Sydney form ahead of game 200

Cody Walker has addressed the axing of coach Jason Demetriou with a heartfelt sentiment, also giving an honest assessment of his own performances this season ahead of his milestone 200th game with the club.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 13: Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs reacts during the round six NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla Sharks at Accor Stadium, on April 13, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Cody Walker’s heart is swelling with pride as he prepares to make his 200th appearance for South Sydney. At the same time, it is breaking for Jason Demetriou and his family as they deal with the fallout from the Rabbitohs’ dismal start to the season.

Walker’s landmark appearance for Souths – against St George Illawarra on Saturday afternoon at Jubilee Stadium – comes as the club reels from a shocking run of outs that culminated last week in the axing of Demetriou.

It has been a difficult time for everyone at the club and Walker admits that the players must bear much of the responsibility – on a personal note, he admits his form hasn’t been up to scratch in a side that has won only one game in 2024.

“I think everyone in the squad felt some responsibility for JD losing his job because at the end of the day we weren’t getting results, we weren’t winning games of football and we weren’t performing on the football field,” Walker said.

“Of course, you feel some responsibility. We received a text last week (about Demetriou’s sacking) and I feel for JD and his family going through what went on last week.

“I couldn’t imagine what was going through each of their minds as they were going through that. Knowing JD, he is always quite positive in the way he is thinking.

Cody Walker admitted his form hasn’t been up to scratch ahead of game 200 with South Sydney. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“His family are probably the ones who ride the wave the most. As footy players, we go through all of this media pressure, all of this, we don’t think about who it impacts.

“It falls back a lot on our families. A lot of our families don’t know how to handle that. From the bottom of my heart, I feel for (Demetriou’s wife) Nat and the girls.”

The show, however, always goes on and Walker will be front and centre on Saturday night in a rebuilt Rabbitohs side as he takes over the captaincy in the absence of the injured Cameron Murray.

It comes at an opportune time. There were times when Walker no doubt wondered whether he would play two NRL games, let alone 200.

Yet here he is, his story one of perseverance and determination. He was and is the poster boy for the late bloomers, having made his first grade debut at the age of 26 and thus provided inspiration for every player who toils away dreaming of making the big time.

Walker had to be patient but when it finally arrived, he grabbed it with both hands. He has been a fixture at Souths ever since through the good times and, of late, the bad.

“I feel like I get back to my best and then I do something wrong – I will make an error,” Walker said.

Jason Demetriou taking his dog for a walk in Caringbah South the day after being sacked as South Sydney coach. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I am just not consistent enough. I am not going to get into why and how. I think that creates excuses. I just have to keep working hard on my game and I will get there.”

Now is as good a time as any given he will lead an undermanned outfit against the Dragons, interim coach Ben Hornby forced to call on a handful of unknowns to help flesh out his squad.

Superstar Latrell Mitchell makes his return but Souths have been forced to hand a club debut to Gehamat Shibasaki and give Dion Teaupa and Matthew French the chance to make their NRL debuts, the former alongside Walker in the halves.

“I think any time you captain the side is always a huge honour and a huge privilege, especially at a club like Souths,” Walker said.

“My role in the team is all about direction, where we need to be and what we need to be doing. I suppose feeding energy to the boys.

Cody Walker will be hoping for a big of milestone magic against the Dragons. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“One of things about our club this week is the energy has been high. We have added a few players to the club who haven’t been here for the tough part of it.

“We can all focus in on what has gone on and what has gone wrong, we can focus on who is out and who is not in, we can wave our hands around and everyone, or we can focus in on some of the positives and good things that are happening at our club.”

One of those good things is Walker’s milestone. He will chalk up 200 with his sons Kian and Kade close by, the pair providing the inspiration and motivation behind much of his success.

“I think the thing that is great about milestones and achievements is actually giving an opportunity for me to say thank you to all my immediate family who have been there,” Walker said.

“This journey started at five years of age, even younger, when I was watching my brothers play footy. I think it’s important that they get the chance to celebrate it.

“My boys are a part of it with me. They have been a motivating factor for all of my NRL career. It is important I put them at the forefront of what I do this week.”