CODY Walker has overcome family tragedy to deliver a play-making master class and send the Easts Tigers to the Intrust Super Cup grand final.
Walker was superb in Sunday’s preliminary final, scoring two tries and setting up three more as the Tigers defeated Wynnum Manly 30-12 in front of more than 3000 fans at Langlands Park.
The Tigers face minor premiers Northern Pride in Sunday’s premiership decider which features the two most consistent teams of the past 24 months.
South-Sydney Rabbitohs bound Walker was inspirational to the Tigers after halves partner Jacob Fauid succumbed to a hamstring injury in the 10th minute.
Wynnum Manly were up 6-0 and the dominant team in the opening 35 minutes but on the eve of half time Walker scooped on a Jordan Kahu grubber and ran 90 metres for a try against the run of play.
The Seagulls didn’t score for another 35 minutes as the Tigers marched to their second straight grand final.