Parramatta flyer Ferguson said he was proud of Walker's stance to not sing the anthem and that his comments in Wednesday's Herald had sparked a healthy week-long debate. "I'm not pushing my views on anyone – it's just how me and my family have grown up and how I feel ... I want to reiterate it's just my opinion,'' Walker said. Ferguson, who played alongside Walker in the Indigenous All Stars game at the start of the year and joined the Blues newcomer for visits to Indigenous communities, said it was important for the next generation to make up their own minds. Loading "The anthem is not what I stand for, and if you hear the lyrics, they do not unite anyone,'' Ferguson told The Sun-Herald.

"I'm so happy someone like Cody, who has strong ties with his community back home, came out and stood by what he believes in. It's his opinion. I haven't sung it since 2016. "I'm so proud of Cody, it's such a brave thing to do. He's coming out on behalf of all the Indigenous people ... We all think it, nobody said anything, but he finally came out and said something. "I've been to Wellington [central-western NSW] a few times now. I went up to Maclean with Cody and Damien Cook, and a few of the Souths boys. Giving back to regional NSW and regional Queensland is close to my heart. "If a kid comes up to me [and asks about the anthem], I'll tell them everyone has their own opinion and it's their choice. It's not my way or the highway. They have to reach the decision for themselves." Ferguson said the best solution was to change the anthem.

Beattie stressed the importance of inclusiveness to rugby league and said it was a player's right to sing or not to sing. "People will sing the anthem on Wednesday night – I'll be standing in the grandstand singing – but I also didn't experience a history of suffering the [Indigenous] people went through,'' Beattie said. "It's about accepting different points of view. The players who have spoken this week have been respectful, they have simply stated their case and nobody has been grandstanding about it. "Players and fans have never been required to sing the Australian anthem. We simply expect them to treat the occasion with respect and dignity. I wouldn't expect booing for those who choose to sing or not to sing." Meanwhile, Walker's Souths halves partner, Adam Reynolds, spoke of his relief at being cleared of a broken leg.

Reynolds was able to take the field on Friday night against Parramatta and quipped his teammates had been refering to the injury as a "grade-three carry-on". Loading The 28-year-old, who was right in the hunt for a Blues return, backed debutant Walker to thrive against Queensland. "I don't know [if he will handle the Origin pressure], but he has stepped up and delivered every game he plays here,'' Reynolds said. "He's pretty cranky at training and seems to hate the world some days. But he's a great character and we love having him around the club.''