South Sydney Rabbitohs won’t shift on Cody Walker deal
South Sydney are prepared to look elsewhere for a five-eighth believing they have offered him “a more than fair and reasonable offer”.
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South Sydney football boss Shane Richardson says if star five-eighth Cody Walker doesn’t take up a lucrative two-year extension then the Rabbitohs “will just have to take the money and spend it elsewhere.”
Walker was part of an indigenous leadership camp on the NSW north coast last weekend, along with Latrell Mitchell who is also in the middle of a prolonged contract saga.
Richardson’s blunt message about the $1.3 million offer came as he also revealed negotiations had continued with Jai Arrow’s agent David Riolo. ahead of a crucial recruitment meeting.
At that meeting the Rabbitohs are preparing to also discuss other potential candidates that could be targeted if Walker leaves at the end of 2020, or the club misses out on Arrow.
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The likes of David Fifita, Anthony Milford, John Bateman and Jack Wighton are among the players coming off contract next year. Richardson has been adamant that Mitchell would not be a target and he also confirmed the Bunnies had no interest in Israel Folau.
But if Walker knocks back the reported $1.3 million offer, that type of money would open the door for a player of similar standing.
“Of course it would,” Richardson said. “But our first offer was to Cody.
“We have made a more than fair and reasonable offer to Cody to treat him well. If he has decided that is not good enough that is his decision.
“I respect that. But we will just have to take the money and spend it elsewhere.”
Walker’s management is believed to be after a deal worth around $850,000 a season.
No formal offer has been tabled to Arrow but Richardson said it could still be resolved by the end of this week.
Souths have some exceptionally talented young backs in the likes of Adam Doueihi, Braidon Burns, Corey Allan and Campbell Graham, while James Roberts and Dane Gagai are already of State of Origin standard.
Doueihi’s future in particular could be governed by Walker’s decision given he is being groomed to be fullback but could easily adapt to playing in the halves.
That could create salary cap space for a marquee fullback recruit or a big-name forward.
In no way did Richardson sound angry or frustrated that negotiations with Walker had dragged on for as long as they have.
But Richardson certainly was not hiding from the fact Walker’s decision would have a huge bearing on the club’s overall recruitment strategy.
“The bottom line is Cody is here next year anyway,” Richardson added.
“We have done our homework. We know what’s available and what is not available.
“Cody has to give us a decision. Once he gives us that, yes or no, that has a tumbling effect.
“We will work our way through that and make sure we do it properly.
“It is not just a clear-cut decision of buying Jai Arrow or Cody Walker.
“Once one accepts it then you have to work out how much money you have left over.
“It is not something you rush into.”