ONE THAT GOT AWAY
CODY TO HAUNT TITANS
CODY Walker is the one that got away from the Gold Coast Titans.
Walker will return to Cbus Super Stadium tomorrow night in South Sydney colours and as one of the form fiveeighth’s in the NRL.
The 28-year-old playmaker has been in sizzling touch for the third-placed Rabbitohs, who have shocked many with their hot start to the season.
An NRL late bloomer, Walker made his Rabbitohs debut in 2016 as a 26-year-old.
A product of Casino, in northern NSW, Walker was part of the Titans’ under-20s team in 2010 before being cut loose for disciplinary reasons.
He headed to Penrith, then Melbourne, before eventually
being snapped up by the Rabbitohs while starring for Easts Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup.
The Titans unsuccessfully tried to lure Walker back in 2014 and he has since made a name for himself at Redfern.
Walker and the Rabbitohs will be looking to inflict the Titans’ seventh loss in eight
weeks and Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan said South Sydney’s in-form playmakers would be tough to contain.
“He (Walker) is a runner, he’s a guy you’ve got to be on your game for,” Brennan said.
“Adam Reynolds is playing as well as he was when he made Origin. They’re in some red-hot form.
“We’re under no illusions it’s going to be tough. They’ve won five games in a row.
“I wouldn’t say they’ve been a surprise packet. They’ve got a great roster.
“The Burgess boys are in fantastic form. They are a quality side across the park.
“They’ve got some really good halves, edges and outside backs. If they get (Queensland Origin players Greg) Inglis and (Dane) Gagai back, then it makes them even stronger.
“We’re under no illusions it’s a massive task for us but we’re at home and we’ve trained really well. We’ll be giving it our best crack.”
After a promising start to the season, the Titans are now sitting in 12th spot and facing a tough task to make the finals with 12 games left.