Cody Walker can consider himself a very lucky man as he was handed just a single match ban for kicking Panthers half Jack Cogger.

In one of the all-time brain fades, the veteran half was sent to the sin bin for kicking Cogger off the ball on Friday night.

Many were expecting him to cop a several-week ban but instead the Match Review Committee handed him just a one-match suspension on Saturday — upgraded to two if he appeals the charge and loses.

Walker was slapped with a Grade 2 Contrary Conduct charge for his actions.

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But he is fortunate it wasn’t a Grade 2 or 3 charge or a charge for striking or a Grade 3 Contrary Conduct Charge, which carries a 3+ week suspension.

However, the Souths star will undoubtedly just be happy to serve a single match ban and move on from the incident.

Speaking in Friday’s post-game press conference, Walker owned his mistake and revealed he apologised to Cogger after fulltime.

“It just wasn’t good enough,” he said.

“As a senior player, I’ve just got to be better in those moments and not let my aggression get the better of me. I let my teammates down, and I’m really sorry about that.

“I spoke to Jack after the game and apologised to him. My emotions got the better of me. It wasn’t good enough as a senior player. It’s not on. I let the team down massively.

“I’ve got that one wrong for sure. I’ll own that. There’s no excuses for that.”

NRL world in disbelief at Cody Walker’s lash out

On Friday Walker’s act of foul play saw a try ruled out and the veteran was sin binned and 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.