Done deal: Dragons land a $500,000 Deal with a veteran hooker.
In a move that is set to send shockwaves through the NRL, South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has signed a two-year deal with the St. George Illawarra Dragons. The move, which was confirmed by Cook himself on Wednesday morning, will see the 32-year-old join the Dragons on a two-year contract worth $500,000 per season ¹ ².
Cook, who has been a mainstay of the Rabbitohs side for the past nine years, made his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2013. He has since gone on to play 205 games in the NRL, representing NSW 17 times and Australia on four occasions. Despite having one year remaining on his contract with the Rabbitohs, Cook has opted to take up the offer from the Dragons, citing a desire to return to his hometown club ¹ ².
The signing is a major coup for the Dragons, who have been rebuilding their side under coach Shane Flanagan. Cook’s experience and leadership will be a welcome addition to the team, and his signing is set to provide a major boost to the club’s premiership aspirations ².
“I’m really excited to be returning to the Dragons,” Cook said. “I have a lot of fond memories of my time at the club, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the team again. I’m grateful for the opportunity to come back and contribute to the club’s success.”
Cook’s departure from the Rabbitohs is a significant blow to the club, who have struggled to find consistency in the hooking position. Despite the emergence of young gun Peter Mamouzelos, the Rabbitohs were keen to retain Cook’s services. However, with the Dragons offering a two-year deal, Cook was swayed by the opportunity to return to his hometown club ³.
The move is also a significant blow to the Rabbitohs’ chances of retaining their NRL title. Cook has been a key player for the club, and his departure will leave a significant hole in the team’s spine. Despite the signing of young hooker Peter Mamouzelos, the Rabbitohs will struggle to replace Cook’s experience and leadership ³.
The Dragons, on the other hand, are set to reap the rewards of Cook’s signing. With Ben Hunt and Kyle Flanagan already on their books, the addition of Cook will provide the team with a wealth of experience and talent. The club’s fans will be hoping that the signing of Cook will be the catalyst for a successful season, and with the team’s recent form suggesting that they are on the up, the future looks bright for the Dragons ⁴.
In other news, the Dragons have also re-signed utility Jack Bird for a further season. The 29-year-old, who has been used in a variety of roles for the Saints, triggered an option for next year prior to the June 30 deadline. The re-signing of Bird is a significant boost for the club, who have been impressed with his form in recent weeks ⁵.
The signing of Cook and the re-signing of Bird are set to be a major boost for the Dragons, who are looking to rebuild their side under coach Shane Flanagan. With a wealth of experience and talent at their disposal, the club’s fans will be hoping for a successful season in 2025.
In conclusion, the signing of Damien Cook by the St. George Illawarra Dragons is a major coup for the club. Cook’s experience and leadership will be a welcome addition to the team, and his signing is set to provide a major boost to the club’s premiership aspirations. The move is a significant blow to the Rabbitohs, who will struggle to replace Cook’s experience and leadership. However, with the Dragons’ recent form suggesting that they are on the up, the future looks bright for the club.
