NRL 2020: Cody Walker cleared by police as player agent under investigation
South Sydney star Cody Walker has escaped punishment for his alleged involvement in a street brawl as the one-time State of Origin gun sweats on a potential sanction from the NRL.
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Rabbitohs star Cody Walker has escaped any penalty from police for allegedly kicking a man in the chest during a brawl in the state’s north.
But his cousin and another man, who were seen fighting in vision of the same confrontation, have each copped $500 fines.
Walker said he had been at a funeral for a relative in Casino when an emotional night of drinking led to his cousin ending up in a street fight with another man.
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Vision of the incident shows Walker running in to kick his cousin’s opponent.
Police announced they were investigating the incident for a potential affray this week but have decided only to issue $500 Criminal Infringement Notices to the two men who initially started fighting.
“Following extensive inquiries, two men – aged 20 and 21 – were each issued a Criminal Infringement Notice, for offensive behaviour. The investigation has concluded, and no further action will be taken,” a statement from police said.
No official complaint was made against Walker to police.
The Daily Telegraph understands police decided to fine the two men in the fight, and not Walker, because they had initiated and sustained the confrontation.
The development comes after revelations a rugby league player manager is now at the centre of a police investigation in a bizarre twist to the alleged blackmail of Walker.
The alleged standover occurred on Saturday when someone allegedly phoned Walker’s agent Matt Rose demanding $20,000 to stop the release of the video.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal the caller left what detectives believe could be a vital clue – a phone number.
Mr Rose gave the number to South Sydney Police detectives, who have used it to link the investigation to another player manager. That agent is now a subject of the investigation.
Walker remains in danger of being sidelined for next week’s NRL return, as he sweats on a potential sanction by the game’s bosses.
“Whatever decision the game, the club, anyone come up with, that is what is going to happen,” Walker told Channel 9 on Monday night.
“I will not be appealing. I am very, very sorry.”
Walker said his actions came after an emotional night of drinking following the family funeral.
“I was trying to protect a family member after the loss of one of my first cousins who we lost through suicide,” Walker said.
“She was 24 years of age and we were grieving her.
“Seeing her brother who is my first cousin, seeing him fight, the first thing that popped into my head was I just need to stop it.”
Walker said he told Souths about the incident around the time it occurred but said he had “no recollection” that it was on video.