Damien Cook has applauded Cody Walker's response to the blackmailing saga, and says the Rabbitohs are preparing for their star playmaker to potentially miss games once the season restarts next week.
Footage was leaked through the media on Monday showing Walker kicking a man in the chest in a streetfight that allegedly took place in October last year. Reports of the incident first emerged when it was revealed Walker had reported it to police after he was blackmailed.
The Rabbitohs star has since apologised, explaining he was defending his cousin in the street fracas, and says he's willing to accept whatever punishment the NRL hands down.
It's the latest off-field drama to involve South Sydney after it was confirmed last week centre James Roberts had checked himself into a rehabilitation facility.
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Senior reporter Paul Kent on Fox League Live suggested Walker could be suspended for up to four weeks, with Cook admitting the Rabbitohs were preparing for their number six's absence.
But speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, the Rabbitohs rake says Walker has been nothing short of professional about his mistake.
"He understands what he's done wrong and understands it's probably not good timing either but he understands there's probably going to be a penalty handed down to him," Cook said.
"One thing is even though his actions weren't right he's done everything right since that.
"As a group, it's all about looking after those players too because they may have done something wrong but you've got to look after them.
"Someone like Cody I think that's the main thing is just knowing what's ahead of him, what the penalty is. Once that's handed down we can go from there."
The likely loss of Walker and Roberts' from the Rabbitohs' backline, plus the major questions over Latrell Mitchell's form, raise some concerns for Wayne Bennett's side going into their returning crunch match against rivals the Roosters.
The side's mixed start to the year with a narrow win over Cronulla and poor loss to Brisbane means a slow start when the competition returns could be detrimental in what has become a shortened campaign.
But Cook assured the guidance of Bennett amid what's been a tough week off-field for the club, as well as the training intensity from the broader squad, raises no fears ahead of next week's season restart.
"Wayne's been really good, and the coaching staff, at making sure our intensity at training is high and our focus is high," Cook said. "We've only got a short time to prepare for this game.
"That's probably been one good thing this last week is seeing our reserve grade side and how well they've trained against us and pushing us.
"I think that's the focus, these guys aren't playing [because] their season's canceled, but they've got to put their best foot forward at training to make sure they're a chance of playing first grade if needed.
"I think the in house competition has lifted the standard at training and kept everyone focused on the job and just helped those individuals out if they do get into trouble."
