South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker has dropped a major hint about retirement after admitting he’s “not sure” whether he wants to go through another NRL off-season. The veteran playmaker turns 37 next year and remains without a contract for 2027, but has been in dazzling form for the Bunnies, and was outstanding in their 32-12 victory over Parramatta on Thursday night.
Walker scored two tries and laid on another one in the 20-point victory that lifts Wayne Bennett’s side to fourth on the ladder – albeit momentarily. And after an injury-riddled 2025 season in which he only managed 11 games, Walker’s resurgence this year is proof that he still has plenty to offer the Rabbitohs.
South Sydney’s Cody Walker (R image, third from left) has dropped an NRL retirement hint despite coach Wayne Bennett (L) indicating he’s keen to extend the veteran for next season. Pic: Getty
(Getty)
In a week in which the Broncos have extended 36-year-old playmaker Ben Hunt and signed 35-old Newcastle centre Dane Gagai for next season, Walker is the latest veteran whose future is under the spotlight. But South Sydney’s mega-money deal to bring Payne Haas to the club on a three-year deal from 2027 could leave them in a tricky position when it comes to extending Walker.
Star centre Latrell Mitchell is also contracted until the end of the 2027 season on big bucks, while Souths locked down fullback Jye Gray on a new deal until the end of 2029 earlier this year. The likes of David Fifita and Jack Wighton are also on good money and the club could face a delicate balancing act when it comes to their salary cap.
Regardless, Bennett has already indicated that he’s keen to extend Walker, who has taken his try assist tally to 14 for the season – just four behind competition leader Nathan Cleary. But in an eye-opening admission after Thursday night’s victory, Walker said he hasn’t decided if he wants to play on in 2027.
Off-contract Cody Walker’s NRL future up in the air
“I haven’t really given it any thought,” Walker told reporters. “I’m enjoying being out there and playing footy… I’m in no real rush to make a decision. I’ve got plenty of time to go.
“I’ve loved the game since I was three or four years old, and I’ll continue to love it – you’ll have to get me out of the game in a wheelchair because I’ll continue playing the game in some form.
“I’ll play some country footy and still get into it. At some point I’d love to play with the boys. My son Kian is 15 at the end of the year, and I’d love to play a game with him.”
Rabbitohs veteran Cody Walker’s NRL future is under the spotlight as he remains without a contract for 2027. Pic: Getty
(Matt King via Getty Images)
Walker is enjoying his footy again after an injury-hit 2025 season, and is confident he has what it takes to play on. But the 36-year-old admitted the prospect of another gruelling off-season could leave him leaning towards retirement.
“Confidence-wise, I feel like I can play on, there’s no question about that,” he said. “But I’m not sure if I want to go through another pre-season.”
with AAP