The Rabbitohs trumpeted the fact that Walker – who had been keenly pursued by Brisbane – had agreed to terms to remain at Redfern until at least the end of 2018 on June 1. However, Walker hadn't put pen to paper at that stage and was holding off on doing so in the belief he was being offered much less than his market value.

Souths were then left in a bind because, had they not upped the ante, Walker could have left them in an embarrassing situation similar to the Andrew Fifita debacle after his deal collapsed at Canterbury.

With Luke Keary leaving and virtually no playmakers left on the open market, the Rabbitohs had to come back to the table with a better offer to ensure Walker didn't walk away.

A revised offer wasn't actually signed until Monday – about five weeks after his retention was announced.

"I'd just agreed to terms," Walker said. "I just signed on Monday, the deal is done, so I just want to move on."

It's one of the rare instances where the dynamics of the negotiations changed after the club announcement and the player then got the upper hand.

New assistants for Maguire

Under pressure: Michael Maguire's job is safe for now. Photo: Getty Images

Michael Maguire is safe for now, but his coaching staff is poised for a clean-out in a bid to get South Sydney back on track.

Rabbitohs assistants Wayne Collins and Kurt Wrigley are likely to be moved on at the end of the year, with Matt King tipped to be promoted into one of the spots. We're hearing Souths are eyeing off either Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo or Mounties mentor Steve Antonelli for the other.

Ciraldo has done an outstanding job with Penrith's NYC side, which looks certain to secure the minor premiership. Likewise, Antonelli's Mounties – the feeder team for the Raiders – sits atop the Intrust Super Premiership standings.

Souths have already parted company with recruiter Grant Jones, who has since bobbed up at Cronulla. The move gives general manager of football Shane Richardson jurisdiction over retention and recruitment.

Maguire is under mounting pressure as the club lurches towards its worst season in a decade, with the sackings of troubled players Kirisome Auva'a and Paul Carter during the week adding to the woes. However, given Maguire steered the club to a drought-breaking premiership just two years ago, it's likely the club will persist with him, at least until his contract expires at the end of next year.

Well played, Brad

Spiritual leader: Brad Walter has left The Sydney Morning Herald after 16 years.

Today we pay tribute to one of Sin Bin's founding fathers, league legend Brad Walter. Sin Bin was the brainchild of Steve Mascord and Walter, with the latter providing punters with the best league tidbits for more than a decade.

Walter clocked off at Fairfax for the last time on Friday, ending a magnificent 16-year stint with The Sydney Morning Herald. The man affectionately dubbed Kurt Sherlock has been the spiritual leader of the league desk and his colleagues are already missing him.

From all at the Herald, we wish you all the best in the next phase of your career. Do svidaniya!

Tedescos switch camps

Proud parents John and Rosemary Tedesco were barracking for the Blues on Wednesday night as their son, James, made his State of Origin debut.

Those scenes were in stark contrast to the last time they attended an Origin fixture, when they cheered themselves hoarse in support of Queensland. Aside from Wednesday night's clash at ANZ Stadium, the only time John and Rosemary had attended an interstate game was game two way back in 1984, when Greg Dowling scored that famous try off the cross-bar kick in the SCG mud.

Rosemary was always a huge Wally Lewis fan, so naturally went for the Maroons at Origin time. John figured Rosemary was a keeper from the moment they met and, keen not to antagonise her during Origin time, opted to keep the peace and also go for the Cane Toads.

"It was just easier to follow them as well," John recalled.

But with their son playing at fullback for NSW, the couple were behind the Blues on a memorable night for the family.

Sons of Roosters to face Poms

There is a distinct Roosters connection in the halves of the Australian Schoolboys side chosen to face an England Academy team later this month.

Lachlan Lam is the son of former Roosters and Queensland playmaker Adrian Lam, while Sean O'Sullivan is the son of the Chooks recruitment officer Peter O'Sullivan. Lam is in the Roosters' NYC team, while O'Sullivan is the Panthers under-20s half after steering the club to glory in the SG Ball grand final.

The Aussies take on the Poms in two Tests, at Redcliffe on July 31 and at Cronulla on August 6.

Cup honours Hazem El Masri

A tournament for high schools in the Canterbury Bankstown district has been named the Hazem El Masri Cup in honour of the Bulldogs legend.

Participation in the competition is conditional on students having an attendance rate above 85 per cent and the Bulldogs will partner with White Ribbon as part of an important message about anti-violence, health and social inclusion. Three players from the tournament will be selected to make the Bulldogs Harold Matthews development squad.

Leaguies in Haumono's corner

The rugby league fraternity has united behind Solomon Haumono's quest to become the first Australian world heavyweight champion in more than 100 years. Current and former stars Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Pauli Pauli, George Rose, Matt Cooper, Peni Terepo and Mickey Paea were at The Star on Friday to support the footballer-cum-fighter before his bout against New Zealand's Joseph Parker.

North Sydney Bears roar again

Former Bears prop Don McKinnon will present North Sydney players with their new heritage jerseys before Sunday's Frank Hyde Shield series against Newtown.

Just as they did way back in 1908, the foundation clubs will go at it again at North Sydney Oval at 3pm. McKinnon, who represented the Bears on 183 occasions, will be one of many familiar faces overseeing proceedings.