Rabbitohs star backs Cody Walker to play on beyond 2026

Rabbitohs star Campbell Graham has backed Cody Walker to re-sign with South Sydney past this season, despite the 36-year-old in the final year of his contract.

Walker is off-contract come November 1 but is yet to make a public call on whether he will play on or retire at the end of the 2026 season.

The Rabbitohs five-eighth has shown no sign of slowing down, playing in every game this season, scoring six tries and setting up 12.

This includes a standout performance against the Parramatta Eels in Round 17, where Walker scored twice to lead the Rabbitohs to an important victory.

Despite the fact Walker turns 37 in January, Graham believes he has more to give to the NRL, believing if he wants to play on, he remains an invaluable asset to the Rabbitohs’ side.

“All conversations with Cody at the start of the year was that he didn't wanna make a decision or give too much thought about it until the back end of this season,” Graham explained on SEN 1170 Drive.

“I think he was going to get a gauge of how we went as a group and where he felt he was at, performance wise and obviously physically.

“I think performance wise, I think he's still right up there in terms of creative halves in the competition, and what else Cody brings to our squad, which is measurable in terms of the benefits that players around him get, is his coaching ability as well.

“It is almost like having a member of the coaching staff out there with you. That's how in-depth his knowledge of the game is, it's really incredible.

“I don't think I've played with a player who has had a better understanding of what other players are perceiving on the field.

“Even though he's never played as an outside back on the wing, or in the centres, he can almost understand your mindset in attack and defence, purely just from what he's seen and experienced as a halfback.

“So decision making, he'll kind of tell you what he's looking for as a half. If I see you start to come out of line, if I see you up and ready to jam, then I know that that tunnel ball's gonna be an option for me.

“Obviously the young halves coming through as well, Ashton Ward, Jamie (Humphreys) spent time there, the coaching that they get from Cody is second to none so I'd love to see him play on past this year.

“I think he's definitely got the ability to keep doing that. I think his performances have been unreal.

“I think he's still been one of our best players all season, so, physically I think he's been pretty good too.

“I know he's had a couple of little niggles, but nothing that hasn't slowed him down too much and, the way he's going, I'd expect him to keep playing, but I think that's a decision he'll have to make regarding his family at the end of the year.”

After an injury-impacted 2025 season, Campbell Graham has made 10 appearances for the season, scoring six tries.

While the Rabbitohs winger is currently out with a calf injury, Graham anticipates a return to play in the next fortnight.

“Everything's going to plan in terms of rehab and return to date with playing,” Graham explained.

“(I’ve) got another week of rehab ahead of me and then, all being well, I'll lace it up against Newcastle the following week.

“Probably the main thing is that I had back surgery in the offseason, missed a large chunk of the running in the pre-season, and with the game now, with the six agains and stuff, the loads are through the roof, especially when I got moved to centre.

“When I've moved from the wing to centre, and I think that's a big factor, but that's why this rehab, it's been a bit more of a conservative approach, and they really wanted to get some running into my legs just to make sure that, when I get back out there, that I'm at a much lower risk of reoccurring.”

The Rabbitohs play the Panthers on Friday to kick off Round 18.