Cody Walker has yet to come to a decision about whether he will continue on in the NRL beyond this season, keeping his focus set on delivering a strong start for South Sydney.
The veteran playmaker is one of seven Rabbitohs stars who will be off-contract at the season’s end, with speculation about Walker’s future often linked to retirement.
Walker shut down any signs of him hanging up the boots prior to the 2026 season when he inked a fresh one-year extension with the club he has been at for the past decade.
It was understood at the time that deal could have spanned over two years, but due to his ongoing injury concerns, the Rabbitohs opted to table a 12-month contract.
Walker, 36, is one of the club’s longest-serving players in the modern era, with over 220 games to his name – a number which he hopes he can grow over the course of 2026.
But he is in no rush to make a definite call on his future just yet.
“To be fair, I haven’t really thought about (injuries or retirement),” he told reporters at a South Sydney press conference on Friday.
“It’s not something that I’m going to think about too often. We’ll see how the season goes. We’ll see about 10 to 12 games in and see how the body is holding up, and then we’ll make a decision together as a club.
“We’ll just see what happens. I’ve given it no thought.”
With injuries a common theme throughout the latter part of his career, Walker has shown that even when he is not at full fitness that he has what it takes to play first grade.
He has also remained a crucial figure in South Sydney’s leadership team over the years.
But as long-term planning begins to come to light at the club, Walker is confident that his latest pre-season campaign only calms the nerves of anyone with doubts about him.
“I’ve done good, solid six-week block leading into Christmas, then I was able to do the next four weeks,” he said.
Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs scores a try against the Wests Tigers. Getty
“I think in previous years I’ve probably gotten to after Christmas and I’ve picked up a little calf injury, and then I haven’t been able to have a trial (match) which then means I’m limping into round one.
“It’s been a really good pre-season for me on a personal level, and it was really good to see the boys perform in the Charity Shield and then back it up against Manly.”
Walker is not alone with enduring an injury battle, with many of his South Sydney teammates also troubled by lengthy stints on the sidelines last year.
This season, that theme has somewhat continued on, with Brandon Smith and Jai Arrow already ruled out of the opening round due to injury.
Smith is expected to return not too long into the regular season, while it still remains unclear exactly when Arrow will return from a neck and shoulder injury.
“We’re just being really careful with Jai. Giving him the right time to wait for results and not pushing him to do anything,” Walker said.
“The club, the players and the coach and staff are all behind him and just fingers crossed that he gets some good results over the next couple of days.
“I’ve got a lot of time for him. I’m still spraying him at the moment so nothing’s really changed there but look I really care for Jai.
“I love him and his family and hopefully we can get some good news over the next couple of weeks.”
