Updated July 5, 2026 – 2:09 p.m.,first published July 4, 2026 — 10:42 a.m. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. TOTOTO Penrith playmaker Jack Cogger says there are “no hard feelings” towards Cody Walker after the Rabbitohs veteran apologized for kicking him
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Penrith playmaker Jack Cogger says there are “no hard feelings” towards Cody Walker after the Rabbitohs veteran apologized for kicking him on Friday night, an action that resulted in the South Sydney star accepting a one-match suspension.
The Panthers snapped a two-game losing streak against South Sydney to cement top spot in the standings with a 36-14 win over South Sydney at CommBank Stadium.
The match was highlighted by the Walker incident, a three-try haul to Panthers winger Tom Jenkins which took his season tally to an equal club record 25, and a standout performance from teenage Souths winger Dayne Jennings.
Cogger was also sent late to the sin bin for a high shot on Ashton Ward, resulting in a grade two contrary conduct charge that carries a two- to three-game suspension.
The biggest talking point, however, was Walker’s brain snap. This resulted in his sin-clearing, a subsequent try disallowed at a crucial moment and a grade two contrary conduct charge that will see the Rabbitohs suspended for five-eighths for Sunday’s clash against Newcastle.
The veteran center admitted he “let my teammates down” and later apologized to Cogger.
Cogger said he was prepared to leave the matter on the field after Cody expressed remorse.
“No hard feelings,” Cogger said. “He’s a competitor. Everyone took care of it: the referees, the right people took care of it, and they had the try disallowed.”
Cogger said he didn’t think about diving after being hit.
“Obviously I felt him kick me and I continued with the play,” he said.
“I’m not one to take penalties or anything like that, but obviously he clearly kicked me. When the play stopped, there was a little scuffle.
“The referees took care of that, and I think that’s how it should be all the time. Obviously, players stay on the ground when they’re injured and things like that, but I don’t see the need to take advantage of penalties.”
Walker has a habit of getting under his opponents’ skin, but he’s also known for losing his cool in the heat of the moment.
“Everybody knows it around the league,” Cogger said. “There was no plan in place. [to bait him]and I don’t think I was provoking it.
“I didn’t say anything to him during the tackle. He just reacted to something, I’m not really sure what, or he felt like I was holding him back for a while. But no, there was nothing on my part that was trying to goad him on.”
The Walker incident marked the first time a player has been penalized for kicking an opponent since Melbourne’s Cameron Munster was convicted for kicking Rooster Joey Manu in the 2018 grand final.
“It just wasn’t good enough,” Walker said.
“As a senior player I have to be better in those moments and not let the aggression get the better of me.
“I let my teammates down and I’m really sorry. I spoke to Jack after the game and apologized. My emotions got the better of me and it’s not good enough. It’s just not right.
“To their credit, the lads worked very hard during that period. I let the team down massively.”
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