Damien Cook’s Emotional Journey and New Chapter
Damien Cook has opened up about the emotional struggle he faced when St George Illawarra decided not to extend his contract for 2027. The 34-year-old hooker admitted he was “filthy” with the club’s change of heart, and described the past few weeks as a “tough couple of weeks” as he processed the news.
Despite the disappointment, Cook is now focused on leading the last-placed Dragons in their upcoming games, starting with his 250th NRL appearance at Magic Round. His journey to this milestone has been anything but straightforward, marked by unexpected twists and challenges.
Contract Negotiations and Setbacks
Cook had initially been confident about securing a one-year extension during the pre-season. However, the Dragons paused all contract discussions in April amid a poor run of form. The team was struggling, and the decision to put contract talks on hold came as a major blow to Cook.
“I was days, maybe a week away from re-signing here,” Cook said, reflecting on the situation.
Soon after the contract freeze, the Dragons made another significant change as coach Shane Flanagan stepped down following an 11-game losing streak that eventually stretched to 13 defeats. By the time the dust settled, the club informed Cook that they needed to prioritize younger players at the hooker position for the future.
“We asked a few times and got the same response, so I had to let my manager know we were going to have to look elsewhere,” Cook explained.
Emotional Struggles and Personal Investment
Cook still believed he had more to offer to the Dragons, the club where he made his NRL debut before moving to Canterbury and South Sydney. Being told he was unwanted was hard to accept.
“When you feel like you give so much to them, when those sorts of things happen, it can hurt a bit,” Cook said. “I definitely respected the business side of the thing, but emotionally invested in it, there were definitely a tough couple of weeks where I was filthy at the decision.”
Despite the pain, Cook expressed his desire to stay with the Dragons, acknowledging how much the club meant to him.
A New Opportunity in Super League
The time in limbo was short-lived, however. Former Dragons assistant and interim coach Ryan Carr reached out with an offer for Cook to join his Super League side Castleford on a two-year deal. This move provided Cook with a fresh start and a chance to continue his career in a new environment.
“The best thing is that I’ve made a decision now and I get to really enjoy this last year with the Dragons,” Cook said. “In saying that, I’m very excited to get over there as well.”
From Doubts to Success
Early in his career, Cook never imagined he would make it to 250 NRL games. In fact, he only managed two games in each of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. At one point, he was preparing to spend all of 2015 playing in the NSW Cup with the Bulldogs.
“I just thought, ‘Maybe this is it’. We had a really good NSW Cup side, maybe this is as far as I go,” he said.
However, a leg injury to Michael Lichaa gave Cook the opportunity to step into the NRL and catch the eye of then-Souths coach Michael Maguire. Three years later, he was the incumbent NSW No.9 and won the Dally M Hooker of the Year award for 2018.
A Milestone to Remember
A 250th NRL appearance shapes as another career highlight. For Cook, this milestone holds special significance, especially since he will not be with the Dragons next year.
“It probably makes it a bit more important for myself, that milestone, not being at the club next year,” Cook said. “For it to be our first win of the year would be absolutely perfect. I’ll continue to work hard here and hopefully we can get the job done.”
Looking Ahead
As Cook prepares for his 250th game, he is determined to make the most of his final season with the Dragons. While the future lies in Super League, the present is all about proving himself once again on the field.
