The hooker won’t see out the final year of his deal with the Rabbitohs.
Damien Cook has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons, informing his South Sydney teammates of the decision. In recent weeks, Cook has been linked to the Dragons, and prominent NRL journalist James Hooper confirmed on Wednesday that the deal is finalized.
Hooper stated that Cook has agreed to a two-year contract with the Dragons starting in 2025, valued at $500,000 per season. The veteran hooker still had one year left on his contract with the Rabbitohs.
Cook made his NRL debut with the Dragons in 2013, playing only two games for them before moving to the Bulldogs for more first-grade opportunities. He joined the Rabbitohs in 2016, playing 196 games for the club and becoming a State of Origin player during his tenure.
Currently, Jacob Liddle is the Dragons’ hooker and has been in good form throughout 2024. He will likely move to the bench to accommodate Cook.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Cook but it is a weird signing. You have to feel for Liddle, playing great footy for the Dragons this year and then they go sign a 33 year old Damien Cook.
Dragons should be rebuilding not signing old guys, 35 year old Hunt and 33 year old Cook…
— Doomz (@MightyDoomz) June 19, 2024
South Sydney smack down ‘rubbish’ claims about Damien Cook
On Tuesday, the Rabbitohs dismissed rumors that the club was trying to move Damien Cook because he had been leaking information. Souths officials reportedly informed Cook’s management earlier this month that he would not be offered a contract beyond 2025 and that they wouldn’t obstruct him if he sought a new contract with another club. The Rabbitohs recently extended the contract of young hooker Peter Mamouzelos until the end of 2027.
Addressing his potential departure from Redfern, Cook expressed that he didn’t want to leave. “Obviously, it’s a bit new to me, this sort of stuff, and I don’t want to leave,” Cook told Channel 9 last week. “But we’ll just get through the game and speak to my manager next week.”
Rumors have emerged suggesting that Cook was not only told he could leave if he wanted to but that he is no longer required at the club due to allegedly leaking information. However, these claims were denied on Tuesday. “There’s been rumors, which Souths have told me they’re aware of today, that he may be being moved on because of leaks from the club,” Nine News reporter Danny Weidler told 100% Footy.
“They’ve said that is absolute rubbish… I put it to them today, they said that is incorrect. Damien will not be asked to move on early from the club. Instead, they want to honor him in the best possible way and give him the send-off he deserves as a player.”
Weidler also addressed rumors regarding record try scorer Alex Johnston potentially leaving. “Alex Johnston is in Wayne Bennett’s plans, and he will be there next year,” Weidler said.
Bent Hunt to sign new Dragons deal
In addition to pursuing a new hooker, a top priority for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is securing star halfback Ben Hunt on a new deal. Flanagan told The Daily Telegraph that he plans to meet with Hunt and his wife Bridget in the next couple of weeks to finalize a one-year extension, which will keep him at the Red V until the end of 2026. In a remarkable turnaround, Hunt is no longer seeking an early release to join a Queensland-based club, as he is reportedly pleased with the direction the club is heading under Flanagan’s leadership.
