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‘They need to find money’: Why Latrell call could backfire as Walker contract twist revealed
South Sydney have again committed to wait until next season to re-open extension talks with Latrell Mitchell but the club have pivoted on a contract call regarding Cody Walker.
Watch every game of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series before the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo Sports |WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Tuesday’s board meeting reaffirmed that position, according to CODE Sports journalist Dave Riccio.
“They’ve publicly declared their situation. They’re willing to wait until March next year, see how Latrell gets through the pre-season, potentially a World Cup with Australia, before addressing his contract situation,” Riccio said on NRL360.
“We know he’s off contract at the end of next season, but ultimately it wasn’t a board meeting for Latrell. It was a board meeting per se and Latrell being such a key figure for the club, it was important for his contract situation to be discussed. ” While devastating on his day, Latrell’s injury history since joining the Bunnies has been concerning. He has barely played half the year in each of the previous three seasons.
But Crawley said Souths are also playing with fire by not clearing up Mitchell’s contract situation as it could mean the club miss out on some talented free agents.
“I can completely understand South Sydney’s situation of wanting to hold off, because when you go through Latrell’s recent history with injuries, and it’s not his fault that he gets injured, but the fact is 11, 11 and 12 games in the past three years. When you’re talking marquee money, you just can’t afford to do that,” Crawley said.
“I think they’ve obviously looked at the situation and they want to put the club first. But also Souths have shown the respect to Latrell because they had him on top money and now he has to show that too. I’m not saying he hasn’t. He’s been brilliant for Souths on so many occasions but you also have to get bang for buck.
“The problem is that the November 1 deadline won’t hold until the start of next season just because Souths want to hold off with Latrell. “With players like Best, Herbie and Bostock coming off-contract the talk around Dearden, the uncertainty around Ezra Mam. All these sort of scenarios can play out and South Sydney will need to find money to sign these guys and yet you’re holding off on your highest paid player until potentially March.
“Even in that, what will Latrell be able to show them other than coming back in good nick in February? How does that then give them certainty that that’s going to transpire into a better run of injuries? ”Regarding Walker, Riccio revealed that the Bunnies have increased their offer for next year to$400,000. Walker and his management were reportedly filthy with the club’s initial offer of $300,000, believing the playmaker was low-balled.
The 37-year-old playmaker is currently without a contract for next season, which is expected to be his final before hanging up the boots. He suffered a serious calf injury in the Rabbitohs’ elimination final loss to the Knights but it’s anticipated he’ll be fine for the start “They have upped their offer. It absolutely had to happen and I thought it was going to happen,” Riccio reported.
“He’s key for them next year and I said it last week. South Sydney want Cody at the football club for the next decade. He’s so important for their culture. ”“There was a lot of talk that $300,000 was way unders but again, you’re talking about a guy that’s 37 years of age next year and is coming off a pretty significant calf injury, and again, the concern for Souths is not that Cody’s not at his best.
“When he’s on the field he’s brilliant, but as you get older and you get these calf injuries and they get worse and worse, they have to have a something more than just Cody to rely on when they get into the back end of the season. ”
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