Walker 2026 Contract Extension
3rd September 2025
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are delighted to announce the contract extension of representative five-eighth Cody Walker for the 2026 season today. Walker, 35, has played 222 NRL games since making his debut for the Rabbitohs against the Roosters in round one, 2016. Walker, Rabbitohs first grade player number 1115 and a proud Bundjalung and Yuin man, has represented New South Wales in State of Origin on five occasions, played three games for the Indigenous All Stars including captaining the side on all three occasions, played twice for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII, as well as representing Country Origin and Queensland Residents. Walker is a two-time winner of the George Piggins Medal as the Rabbitohs best and fairest player in 2020 and 2021, was the Dally M five-eighth of the year in 2021, was the Ken Stephen Medal Man of the Year award winner in 2021, has captained the Rabbitohs on 22 occasions since 2021, and is one of only seven players to have scored 100 or more tries for South Sydney in first grade.
Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, says Walker is one of the key leaders at the Rabbitohs. "Cody is not only one of the best players in the NRL, he is one of the great leaders at our Club and within the sport of Rugby League," Mr Ellison said. "He didn’t debut at the NRL level until the age of 26, but he has made an enormous impact on the sport, and the community, over the past ten years since he burst onto the first grade scene. He has captained his club and his people, he has won man-of-the-match awards at State of Origin level, he has led his teammates and his club on and off the field, and he has become a respected voice amongst players and the Aboriginal community. It has been evident that at the back end of this season, since he has returned to the team, that our performances have improved greatly. Most importantly, Cody is a wonderful father. The example he sets for his three sons; Kian, Kade and Kora; on a daily basis is first-class and the boys and his partner Amy are as much a part of the Rabbitohs family as Cody is. He is a leader in every sense of the word, he is still at the top of his game, and we are delighted to have him extend his tenure with the Rabbitohs for a further season today."
Walker is keen to help the lead the Rabbitohs to more success. "This is a special group of people we have here at South Sydney – players, coaches, administration, Members and fans – and I’m certain we can achieve some great things in the coming years," Walker said. "There are some wonderful young talents in our playing group and I see my role as helping mentor them to become regular NRL players, whilst also producing top performances of my own on the field for the team. I know we can achieve great things and I want to be part of that. But what is really important to my partner Amy and I is that our family loves this club and we feel like we are part of the Rabbitohs family. My boys are growing up as Rabbitohs. My eldest son, Kian, has earned his own red and green jersey in the junior rep development teams; my middle son, Kade, is beside me on the field as a ballboy; and my baby son, Kora, is starting to recognise the Rabbitohs logo and the colours that we all represent. Amy and I also have a little girl arriving in December and I’m certain she will be a little Rabbitoh too! This is a special place, that is supported by the greatest Members and fans in the game, and I am so proud to have the chance to represent the club on the field again next season."
Ref - SSFC [Viewed 5 Sep 2025] / FN-1