Penrith playmaker Jack Cogger says there are “no hard feelings” towards Cody Walker after the Rabbitohs veteran apologised for kicking him, although both players are set for stints on the sideline after a spiteful affair.
The Panthers snapped a two-game losing streak to consolidate top spot on the ladder with a 36-14 victory over South Sydney at CommBank Stadium on Friday night. The match was notable for the Walker incident, a three-try haul to Panthers winger Tom Jenkins that took his season tally to an equal club-record 25, and a breakout performance from teen Souths winger Dayne Jennings.
Cogger was also sent to the sin bin late for a high shot on Ashton Ward, which resulted in a grade-two contrary conduct charge that carries a two-to-three game suspension.
However, the biggest talking point was the Walker brain snap. It resulted in his sin binning, a subsequent try being disallowed at a crucial juncture and a grade-two contrary conduct charge on Saturday, which carries a one-week suspension if he pleads guilty. If Walker unsuccessfully contests it, he’ll be sidelined for two matches.
The veteran pivot conceded he “let my teammates down” and apologised to Cogger afterwards.
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 dealt with it — the referees, the right people dealt with it, and for them, they got their try disallowed.”
Cogger said he gave no thought to taking a dive after being struck.
“Obviously I felt him kick me and kind of carried on with the play,” he said.
“I’m not someone to play for penalties or anything like that — but he obviously clearly kicked me. When the play was stopped, there was a bit of a run-in there …
“The referees dealt with that and I think that’s how it should be all the time. Obviously, players stay down when they’re injured and things like that, but I don’t see the need to milk penalties.”
Walker has a habit of getting under the skin of his opponents, but is also known for losing his cool in the heat of the moment.
“Everyone knows that across the league,” Cogger said. “There was no plan in place [to bait him] and I don’t think I was stirring him up.
“I didn’t say anything to him in the tackle. He just reacted to something, I’m not quite sure what, or he felt I was holding him down a bit long. But no, there was nothing from me that tried to egg him on.”
The Walker incident marked the first time a player has been penalised for kicking an opponent since Melbourne’s Cameron Munster was sin-binned for kicking Rooster Joey Manu in the 2018 grand final.
“Just wasn’t good enough,” Walker said.
“As a senior player I’ve got to be better in those moments and not let aggression get the better of me.
“I let my teammates down and I’m really sorry about that. I spoke to Jack after the game and apologised to him. My emotions got the better of me and it’s not good enough. It’s just not on.
“To the boys’ credit, they worked extremely hard during that period. I let the team down massively.”
