Walker too has often been criticised for playing angry this season.

But when the Rabbitohs needed someone to keep their head amid the chaos,Jason Demetriou reserved the highest praise for an afternoon that ended with four try-assists and five-star showing.

“[Walker] is a generational player in my opinion,” Demetriou said.

“What he can do with the footy,not many in the game can do. His game smarts and his ability to execute ... the leaders spoke this week about the things they like of their teammates,what their fellow leaders bring.

“That was one of the things that Cody was spoken about - The right play at the right time. He’s playing with a smile on his face and it sets us up nicely for the finals series.”

Walker was humbled by Demetriou’s praise afterwards and was at a slight loss to explain exactly how he conjured up tries while short on attacking players.

Andrew Johns compared the veteran half’s ball-playing ability to iconic Manly maestro Cliff Lyons in commentary.

His set-up play for Mitchell’s 22nd minute try in particular – drawing Sam Walker into a defensive error despite the Roosters boasting more numbers down the left edge –was right out of the Lyons playbook.

“You’ve got to find creative ways to find a weakness in that situation,” Walker said.

“I knew that Taane Milne wasn’t on the right wing but I still had my left edge intact ... so we’d just find little ways and certain players that are off at certain times[in defence].”

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