NRL 2021: Latest Updates On The Cody Walker vs Lachlan Lewis Incident

South Sydney’s Cody Walker prompted Sunday’s uncalled-for episode with Bulldogs five-eighth Lachlan Lewis in NRL 2021. As per reports, South Sydney’s five-eighth taunted Lachlan Lewis to: “Go back to reserve grade.” The diss from Walker was enough to trigger Lewis, who then tackled Walker to the ground, while the players were leaving the pitch. This caused a ruckus on the ground, which ultimately lead to the suspension of Lewis.

NRL 2021: What Instigated Lachlan Lewis To Attack Cody Walker?

Walker said the aforementioned sentence to point out the fact the Lewis is set to run out of contract at the end of the season. The 24-year-old, who has featured in four NRL matches and five NSW Cup games for Mounties this season, is currently without a contract for 2022. Adding to that, Lewis is ceased from going back to reserve grade with NEW Cup currently put on hold due to the COVID-19 norms in Sydney. Nevertheless, the Sydney NRL clubs are trying to seek permission for the players to join Queensland Cup teams.

The following incident happened at the brink of half-time after Souths attempted an ambitious last-second play. The Canterbury duo Will Hopoate and Nick Meaney decided to get Walker on the ground at that very time. Lewis backed his Bulldogs teammates to get back in charge. It was that very moment when Walker first said some inaudible words to Lewis. While walking towards the dressing room, Lewis gave a tap on Walker’s backside, to which the Rabbitohs’ No. 6 took offense. Walker furiously asked him “Go back to reserve grade” and it was then, Lewis decided to take him down.

NRL 2021: News surrounding the incident

1. Dog shot: Why Lachlan Lewis had a score to settle with Cody Walker
2. Revealed: The long-running feud that triggered ‘reserve grade’ brain snap
3. History may have sparked Lewis-Walker scuffle
4. Walker’s class gets sloppy Bunnies home; Bulldogs pay for Lewis’ all-time brain-fade: 3 Big Hits
5. ‘Completely out of character’: Bulldogs’ night goes south after Lewis brain snap

NRL 2021: What are the charges against Lachlan Lewis?

On Monday, Lewis was charged by the NRL match review committee for contrary conduct. He has been fined $1600 with an early plea or $2400 if he decided to challenge the chase and loses. However, many sources have confirmed that Walker did make derogatory remarks to stimulate the whole situation with Lewis.

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NRL 2021: What does Cody Walker has to say about the situation?

Lewis and Walker are likely to face each other again on the weekend when the Bulldogs will play Rabbitohs in the Mercure Gold Coast hub, with Raiders, Warriors, and Eels. Canterbury management, however, declined a request for Lewis to get interviewed with club CEO Aaron Warburton while stating that the on-field exchange between the players was “friendly banter on the field” and the club “didn’t want to give this any more airtime, with respect.”

Fox Sports’ Matty Johns interviewed Walker after the match.

Matty Johns asked: “What the hell was going on with Lachlan Lewis?” “I don’t know man, I wouldn’t have a clue,” Walker said. ”He just said then … whatever. It’s in the past. What happens on the footy field stays on there.”

NRL 2021: What was the reaction after the fight?

Reports suggest that NRL wants to make sure that comments passed on the pitch didn’t violate the game’s anti-vilification code. The match review committee was also interested in listening to on-field audio during the time the incident took place.