Cody Walker’s Contract Renewal Raises New Questions About the $650k Deal for the English Import

Cody Walker is poised to extend his tenure at South Sydney for another year, though his contract renewal casts a more intense light on a rather peculiar signing for 2025.

The 35-year-old playmaker has spent considerably more time off the pitch than on it this season, yet that has not deterred club officials from securing his future.

As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the five-eighth is set to receive a new one-year contract to continue at Redfern alongside experienced try-scorer Alex Johnston through to 2026.

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Both players were without contracts, yet Souths believe there is still enough quality football left in them for at least one more year in the NRL.

The decision to extend Johnston’s contract is a logical one. Having just turned 30, he appears to be regaining his full fitness as he approaches Ken Irvine’s try-scoring record. Moreover, with depth in the outside backs a concern for the Rabbitohs, retaining Johnston is crucial.

Johnston is highly regarded within the club and serves as a valuable mentor for younger wingers Tyrone Munro and Haizyn Mellars.

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It makes sense for Souths to keep Walker on, despite concerns about his injury-plagued season that has seen him battling both calf and groin issues.

With his playmaking skills unmatched in the club, particularly his successful partnership with star fullback Latrell Mitchell, it would be rather unusual to let him go without a suitable replacement.

However, this does raise questions regarding the role of Lewis Dodd within the team.

The much-hyped English recruit, who joined the club on a three-year deal rumoured to be worth $650,000 per season, has been largely absent from the field since his arrival in Australia.

Dodd has only made one start in the halves, and that was only due to Wayne Bennett exhausting all other possibilities.

Jayden Sullivan, Jamie Humphreys, and Jye Gray have all been tried in the halves as well, with the legendary coach even moving Mitchell into that position at one point.

He will be given another chance in round 16 due to an injury crisis that has sidelined Walker, Gray, and Sullivan all at once.

This brief opportunity for Dodd highlights that Bennett may not have faith in the 23-year-old, which could place the Rabbitohs in a difficult situation for the duration of his contract.

With Bennett’s reluctance to utilise Dodd, it raises concerns about whether other clubs will be interested in taking on the rest of his contract. If the game’s top coach doesn’t see his potential, why would others?

Even if a team like the Dragons or Eels were willing to take a risk, they likely wouldn’t cover much of Dodd’s significant salary.

It seems the most likely outcome is that Walker and Humphreys will form the first-choice combination next season, with Dodd remaining behind them in the NSW Cup collecting a hefty paycheque, or opting to return home to England and revive his career in the Super League.

While Bennett has been cautious with his comments about Dodd, the evidence suggests the club’s highest-paid half hasn’t had much game time at the top level.

Souths are also facing roster conundrums as they move into a challenging two-year phase.

While they’ve dedicated significant resources to hooker Peter Mamouzelos, it’s unclear if he can ultimately become the long-term No.9 for the club.

The local junior is under contract for another two years but now finds himself competing for the dummy-half position against new signings Brandon Smith and Bronson Garlick.

Jack Wighton’s sizeable contract also looms large; he left the Raiders to chase a premiership yet now finds himself potentially closer to a wooden spoon than silverware, with two more years remaining on his Rabbitohs deal.

Though the 32-year-old is an outstanding player and earned the esteemed George Piggins Medal in his debut season for the Rabbitohs, questions arise as to whether the team has improved with him on board while he earns $850,000 a year.

This significant salary places Wighton among the highest-paid players in one of rugby league’s less lucrative positions, trailing only Herbie Farnworth, Stephen Crichton, and Valentine Holmes.

Players like Jai Arrow, Campbell Graham, Isaiah Tass, and Tallis Duncan are secured for another two years, while injured captain Cameron Murray and front rower Tevita Tatola are bound to the foundation club until at least 2028.

Murray’s absence has greatly affected Souths this year, exacerbating the struggles surrounding their halves and questionable contracts.

As a seasoned coach, Bennett possesses the skills to potentially steer the Bunnies back into contention before his contract expires in 2027.

However, with some puzzling roster decisions, it’s clear that the seven-time premiership winning coach faces a monumental challenge ahead.