Cody Walker

Cody Walker eyeing NRL coaching career

The 33 year-old is assistant coaching the Indigenous All Stars as well as captaining them.

Published by
Jack Blyth

Cody Walker is hoping his assistant coaching role for the Indigenous All Stars will help springboard the five-eighth towards a post-career coaching role in the NRL.

The five-eighth was a late debutant, running out for his first NRL game at 26, and has now emerged as one of the competition's attacking dynamos, leading the competition for try-assists over the last five seasons with 105, and third for tries with 68.

While he has at least three more seasons in first-grade ahead of him, the enigmatic half is already keeping one eye on his post-playing career.

“Yeah I think so, it is something (coaching) that interests me in the future,” Walker told Fox Sports.

“I'm getting my coach's course and it is something that hopefully I can fall into after I retire.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 25: Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs embraces Benji Marshall of the Tigers after the round 11 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on May 25, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I like the idea and the challenge of breaking down teams and coming up with game plans and putting them into fruition on the training park, but also seeing them come to life in a footy game.

“It is quite exciting and I just love being a part of that.”

While at club level, Jason Demetriou has the reins as does assistant coaches Ben Hornby and John Morris, however Walker revealed his love for helping the other halves, and taking them under his wing.

“100 per cent I enjoy sharing a bit of my knowledge with the younger boys at Souths coming through,” Walker said.

“We have got a great group of young boys this year.

“Lachie (Ilias) had a fantastic year in his first year. We have also got Deano (Hawkins), who played a fair bit of footy last year. Jye Gray has come to the club this year as a development player and he is an exciting young talent, so we have got some fair skill in the halves.”

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Manly Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium on September 24, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

While his aspirations to coach are burning away, Walker's main focus over the next three seasons are plain and simple.

“That is the ultimate goal is to bring a premiership back to Redfern and the local community,” Walker said.

“It is pretty special to put the colours on each and every week, but it will be even more special lifting the trophy at the end of the year.”

Published by
Jack Blyth