A moment of madness from Cody Walker cost South Sydney a try on Friday night with the veteran five-eighth sent to the sin bin for kicking Panthers halfback Jack Cogger.
The first-half incident robbed Rabbitohs rookie Dayne Jennings of a try in the right corner, with Walker inexplicably lashing out at his rival after playing the ball.
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The try was reversed due to Walker’s act of foul play and the veteran was placed on report.
Referee Adam Gee sent Walker to the sin bin but could have easily sent him off for the early brain snap, with Walker coming off his best game of the season in last week’s big win over the Eels.
“You’re captain. You’ve just cost them the try,” the referee told reporter.
“It’s a deliberate kick. You’re in the bin and on report.”
Walker is renowned for having arguably the shortest fuse of any player in the NRL, but the commentators could not believe their eyes.
“He’s on tilt here, Cody Walker,” Cooper Cronk said on Kayo Sports.
“He lashes out at Jack Cogger with the right foot kick. It’s a selfish play from the captain Cody Walker.
Watch Cody Walker’s brain fade in the video above
“Frustrated by something from Jack Cogger but you just can’t don’t do that.
“Unfortunately Cody Walker has a record of doing things like this and it’s just cost his team big time.
“They just scored a try, now it’s been reversed and they’re \under pressure for the next 10 minutes. Selfish play from Cody Walker.”
“That is inexcusable,” Andrew Voss said.
“They were always going to score and they’re about to go down to 12 (men).
“It’s grade five petulance. It will not bring a bruise to the leg but an act of petulance, how else do you describe it? You’re almost without words.”
Braith Anasta described it as a “brain explosion” from Walker.
“He needs anger management classes,” Anasta said.
“Cody’s been on edge for the majority of the year. He’s been playing great. Maybe he plays better when he’s angry but that was just ridiculous.”
Greg Alexander said: “The short fuse has been there forever but I think this year has been worse than ever.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. I haven’t seen many players do something like this that’s cost your team a try.”
Former NRL player Chad Towsnend posted on X: “Cody Walker. You’re captain and you just cost your team and the debutant a try!”
The League Scene wrote: “Cody Walker is lucky that wasn’t a send off.
“There was intent in that action and has cost his side a certain try. An absolutely dumb play from a player that really knows better.”
Penrith scored first half tries through Dylan Edwards and Liam Henry, before the Rabbitohs got on the board with a try to Edward Kosi.
The Panthers led 12-10 at the break after Jennings got his moment, scoring in the corner on the stroke of halftime.
Tom Jenkins scored three second half tries to help Penrith claim a 36-14 victory over the Rabbitohs to remain clear on top of the NRL ladder without their State of Origin players.
Originally published as ‘Petulant, inexcusable, ridiculous’: Cody Walker torched for ‘brain explosion’