The 2016 season marked Cody Walker’s debut year in the NRL and boy did he make an impact! With punters questioning his late debut at the age of 26 years old, Walker proved he belongs on the first grade footy field.
Featuring in the North Sydney Bears team late in the 2015 season, Walker went on to play the full 80 minutes in each of his 20 games in the Cardinal and Myrtle jersey.
Crossing the line on eight occasions to score the first few tries of his career, Walker also impressed in the South Sydney side with 12 try assists - equalling the most in the side alongside halfback Adam Reynolds.
Walker dominated in statistics, also topping the Rabbitohs line breaks, breaking through the oppositions defensive lines 15 times. He made 303 tackles and 80 tackle breaks.
In addition to his tries, Walker added more points to his name through nine successful conversion kicks and one penalty kick surpassing the 50 point milestone.
The Casino Cougars junior faced competition for a spot in the halves however became a regular feature on the field, switching between the positions of five-eighth and fullback throughout the season.
Walker’s best game came in Round 19 against the Brisbane Broncos where he scored one try, one goal, ran 194 of his overall 2022 run metres and produced two line breaks in 20 runs.
Walker has been recognised for his debut performance across the league, winning the Rugby League Players Associations’ Rookie of the Year Award.
