LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a bold display of loyalty and determination, Cody Walker rallied his South Sydney troops against Cronulla on Saturday night, despite the looming threat of coach Jason Demetriou's potential departure.
The Kangaroos' mastermind, Mal Meninga, found himself in the spotlight as rumors swirled linking him to the Rabbitohs coaching role, prompting a response from the man himself during the team's gritty 34-22 loss to the Sharks at Accor Stadium.
Despite a valiant effort by the Souths players, who found themselves outnumbered due to a string of injuries and HIA incidents, the scoreboard painted a different picture.
It was a bitter blow for the proud club, marking their fifth defeat in six games this season and leaving them languishing at the bottom of the ladder as they prepare for the upcoming bye week.
Demetriou's press conference antics on Friday, storming out after just 27 seconds, added fuel to the rumor mill surrounding his future at the club.
Speculation swirled that his job hinged on a win against the Sharks, with murmurs of a leadership shake-up already in the works.
Despite the mounting pressure, Demetriou remained steadfast in his belief in the team's abilities and his own prospects of staying in the coaching hot seat.
With a captain sidelined and millions of dollars worth of talent on the bench, the Rabbitohs dug deep and fought tooth and nail to keep their season alive.
Walker's unwavering support for his embattled coach echoed the spirit of true sportsmanship and camaraderie, showing that in the face of adversity, a team is only as strong as its unity on the field.