South Sydney Rabbitohs veteran Cody Walker was charged by the Match Review Committee for a high tackle in Friday's 20-10 finals loss to the Newcastle Knights.
It was a tough night for the 36-year-old playmaker, who was placed on report for a high tackle on Newcastle Knights back-rower Jermaine McEwen just minutes before going down with a calf injury.
Walker has now been hit with a Grade 1 Careless High Tackle charge and will pay $1,800 with a guilty plea.
The fine will increase to $2,500 if he unsuccessfully appeals the charge.
The double blow caps off an intense finish to the Rabbitohs season, with the club's finals hopes ended in the elimination final by Newcastle at Allianz Stadium.
Walker's calf injury adds a fresh concern to his immediate future, as the veteran has been playing out the final months of an uncertain contract dilemma.
Walker remains unsigned for 2027, one of three Rabbitohs players yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, alongside Jamie Humphreys and Adam Elliott.
Despite the uncertainty, South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly has assured that the club will extend Walker for an extra season, with a 12-month contract extension expected, given the 36-year-old is keen to keep playing.
Walker enjoyed a strong resurgence in 2026 after an injury-riddled 2025 season that only saw the five-eighth play 11 games last year.
This year, Walker ranked third in the NRL for try assists, second in line break assists, and equal second in total 40/20 kicks, the kind of form that strengthened his case for another season at Redfern.
For now, though, his focus will shift to managing the calf issue picked up in the Knights defeat, while the club works through his contract situation.
Newcastle will play the loser of the New Zealand Warriors and Dolphins' Qualifying Final in a semi-final next week.
