Shattered star a wanted man

SOUTH Sydney chief executive Blake Solly has revealed contract negotiations with heartbroken star Cody Walker will kick off this week and the club’s desire is to keep Walker “for as long as he wants to keep playing”.

A shattered Walker was on Monday left to deal with the raw emotions of not only losing a grand final but the added fallout associated with throwing the intercept pass that led to Stephen Crichton’s matchclinching try.

But there was certainly no blame game going on within the club as Solly outlined why the player remained key to life beyond Wayne Bennett and Adam Reynolds.

The 31-year-old is contracted until the end of next season but is free to start talks with rivals on November 1.

Losing Walker on the back of Reynolds’ exit to the Broncos would be a disaster for the Bunnies.

“We will sat down with Cody and sort of map out what he wants,” Solly said.

“In some ways we will be guided by Cody, his expectations and desire.”

A player of Walker’s class will make him a leading target for the new Brisbane franchise expected in 2023.