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Pain of 2024 steels Souths to handle Walker injury blow
George Clarke, AAP • April 7th, 2025 5:53 pm
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett and Cody Walker address the fallout of the win over the Roosters | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Keaon Koloamatangi says the South Sydney of 2024 would have crumbled under their sizeable injury toll as the high-flying Bunnies face up to three weeks without star five-eighth Cody Walker.
Souths confirmed on Monday that Walker, halves partner Jamie Humphreys and winger Mikaele Ravalawa had all succumbed to hamstring injuries picked up in Friday's 20-14 win over the Sydney Roosters.
Fijian winger Ravalawa suffered a tear and will miss up to eight weeks, while Humphreys is set to sit out the next month of action with a strain.
Mikaele Ravalawa will miss up to eight weeks after tearing his hamstring | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Souths said Walker would miss up to three games, ruling him out of Saturday's trip to face North Queensland, a Good Friday clash with ladder-leading Canterbury and an Anzac Round clash with Melbourne.
"It obviously sucks that certain players aren't playing, especially high-calibre players," back-rower Koloamatangi said.
"But it makes you want to dig a little bit deeper to win a game.
"When you win the games without your star players, it means a little bit more. Hopefully we get another win this week."
Souths, enjoying a 4-1 start in Wayne Bennett's second coming, finished Friday's win over the Roosters with just 14 fit players, snatching victory away from their bitter rivals in the final 20 minutes.
The good feeling around the club is in stark contrast to 12 months ago, when coach Jason Demetriou was sacked after a 1-6 start and the Rabbitohs went within a whisker of the wooden spoon.
"I think it (2024) played a massive role coming into this year," Koloamatangi said.
"Last year we were pretty down on ourselves and had a terrible year, obviously.
"Pretty much the same stuff has happened with all the injuries, but we won't make excuses now because everyone in our top 30 is NRL calibre.
"If your name gets called you're expected to play a role, that's what Wayne drives - to get the best out of yourself."
Captain Cameron Murray remains out for the season, while Australian Test centre Campbell Graham is likely to mark his comeback against the Dogs on the Easter weekend.
Latrell Mitchell returned last week to spark their win over the Roosters, while winger Alex Johnston and off-season recruit Euan Aitken - a centre or edge forward option - are a chance to come in for the Perth trip.
Latrell Mitchell made a sparkling return in the Rabbitohs' win over the Roosters | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Where Mitchell plays will be a matter of intrigue given Jye Gray's hot form at fullback.
Mitchell was named to return last week at centre but quickly shifted to five-eighth when Walker failed to return in the second half.
Jayden Sullivan is expected to wear the No.7, with English import Lewis Dodd a chance to come in for his NRL debut after featuring in the Rabbitohs' NSW Cup side on Sunday.
Jimmy Smith loved Latrell Mitchell's return
