Cody Walker’s South Sydney future set to be sealed as Jai Arrow signing looms
Cody Walker’s South Sydney future is all but sealed and the news could get even better for Rabbitohs fans with another pre-Christmas gift.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cody Walker is expected to agree to a new two-year extension at South Sydney this weekend. The move could all but eliminate any chance that Latrell Mitchell could also end up at Redfern next season.
Meanwhile, Jai Arrow’s future is also expected to be resolved in the coming days with the Rabbitohs hopeful the boom Gold Coast forward will give them a double pre-Christmas celebration to launch the club into the post Sam Burgess era.
But in the latest twist to the NRL player market circus, The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the Rabbitohs are now discussing the possibility of making a late play for the exiled Sydney Roosters’ star. This is despite the fact that the Rabbitohs were previously adamant Mitchell was not on their radar.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
It is understood any potential interest is hugely dependent upon Walker’s decision.
The fact of the matter is that Souths just don’t have the salary cap space available to fit both Walker and Mitchell into the same roster, unless Mitchell was to take a massive pay cut.
Given the Rabbitohs’ depth of backline talent it would seem unlikely this could happen, and especially given the Wests Tigers are willing to pay Mitchell $1 million a season and let him play fullback.
The Gold Coast are also still in the frame and their interest could also be significantly influenced by what Arrow ends up doing.
But make no mistake there are people of influence who believe Latrell ultimately ending up at Souths is now not as ridiculous as it might have appeared just days ago.
It is a strange situation that is made all the intriguing by growing speculation that Mitchell’s relationship with his manager Wayde Rushton could be experiencing some difficulties.
It has even been suggested that the NRL now needs to step in and offer some guidance to try and get this situation resolved before Mitchell is due back at training in early January.
While Walker’s contract negotiations have now dragged on for the best part of a month, further talks on Friday between Souths and Walker’s agent Matt Rose had both parties confident they were now ready to strike a deal to keep the 29-year-old at the club until at least the end of 2022.
It is understood Arrow is struggling to make a decision on his future with his loyalty to his current Gold Coast teammates up against an enormous opportunity to move to Sydney and play at one of rugby league’s most famous clubs.
Those close to negotiations have shut down any suggestion that Arrow has made a decision either-way as of Friday.
Souths believe they have done all they can but at the end of the day it is Arrow’s decision to make.
While Mitchell still has a contract to play at the Roosters next year, the club have made their feelings known.
But the last place they probably expected he might end up when this all started would be at their arch enemies, and potentially playing for less than the $800,000 he was offered to stay at the Roosters.
Now wouldn’t that be another chapter for the Book of Feuds.
Originally published as Cody Walker’s South Sydney future set to be sealed as Jai Arrow signing looms