South Sydney hooker Damien Cook will join St George Illawarra on a two-year contract for 2025 and 2026. Cook gave this news to his Rabbitohs. Today we will discuss about Damien Cook Dropped after smack down rumours: Injury,Wife.
Damien Cook Dropped after smack down rumours: Injury,Wife
Damien Cook has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the St George Illawarra Dragons and has informed his South Sydney teammates of the decision. Cook has been linked with the Dragons in recent weeks, and lead NRL journalist James Hooper reported on Wednesday that it is a done deal.
According to Hooper, Cook has agreed to a two-year deal worth $500,000 per season to return to the Dragons from 2025. The experienced hooker still had a year left on his contract with the Rabbitohs.
Cook made his NRL debut with the Dragons in 2013, but played only two games for the Red Vs before moving to the Bulldogs for more first-grade opportunities. He then joined the Rabbitohs in 2016 and played 196 games for the club, becoming the leading State of Origin player at that time.
Jacob Liddle is the current hooker for the Dragons and has been in good form heading into 2024. They will likely have to move to the bench to accommodate Cook.
On Tuesday, the Rabbitohs rejected claims the club was attempting to remove Cook because he was leaking information. Souths officials reportedly told Cook’s management earlier this month that he will not be offered a contract beyond 2025 and that they will not stand in his way if he asks for a new contract at a rival club. The Bunnies recently re-signed young gun hooker Peter Mamouzelos until the end of 2027.
Speaking on his potential move away from Redfern, Cook admitted that ideally he would not have wanted to leave. “Obviously it’s a little new to me, this kind of thing, and I don’t want to give up on it,” Cook told Channel 9 last week. “But we will just watch the game and talk to our manager next week.”
Rumors have since emerged that Cook was not only told he could leave if he wanted, but was reportedly no longer wanted at the club after information was leaked. But those claims were rejected on Tuesday. “There are rumours, of which Souths have told me they are aware today, that he could be removed due to leaks from the club.
Injury
Damien Cook will return to where it all started next season, with the Rabbitohs hooker signing a two-year deal with St George Illawarra.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the 32-year-old will be given an early release from his contract at Redfern at the end of 2024, ending a fruitful tenure at the club that lasted more than 200 games.
Cook’s deal at the Dragons is worth an estimated $1 million over two seasons after being given permission by Cardinal and Myrtle to pursue an opportunity at a rival club.
The veteran star informed his castmates about his exit on Wednesday morning.
Livewire made his debut for the Dragons in 2013, but was unable to find his footing in the top grade until joining the Bunnies in 2016, where he became a NSW and Australian representative and established himself as one of the game’s best hookers. Did.
Cook is expected to share dummy-half duties with Jacob Liddle at the Saints, with the club’s current number 9 contracted for the next two seasons.
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As far as the Rabbitohs are concerned, young gun Peter Mamouzelos is expected to get his first crack at the hooker spot next year after impressing in his sporadic NRL appearances.
Cook’s imminent arrival comes as the Dragons have dealt another blow on the recruitment and retention front, re-signing utility Jack Bird for another season.
The 29-year-old, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, has triggered an option for next year ahead of the June 30 deadline rather than becoming a free agent.
Bird has been used in a variety of roles for the Saints in recent years and is a firm favorite of Shane Flanagan, who previously coached him at Cronulla.
The former NSW Origin star is in line to return in Round 17 against the Dolphins.
Wife
The news comes just six months after they tied the knot in November last year, but not before postponing their wedding date, when Cook made his Test debut for the Australian Kangaroos.
It’s been a remarkable 12 months for the Rabbitohs number 9 after enjoying a breakout 2018 season in which he claimed the Dally M Hooker of the Year award, as well as earning his Origin debut for NSW.
He is set to play in his second State of Origin series when the squad is announced on 27 May, although Fittler jokingly threatened not to select Cook in a humorous Channel Nine interview on Thursday night.
Cook will be looking to help the Rabbitohs maintain their four-match winning streak when they face the North Queensland Cowboys in the Magic Round on Sunday.
Damien Cook Dropped after smack down rumours: Injury,Wife
Bryden’s Lawyers The good news keeps coming for NSW Blues hooker Damien Cook and wife Courtney, as they announced the expected arrival of their first child later this year.
The newlyweds are expecting their daughter on November 4, the couple made the exciting announcement on Instagram.
“So happy to finally share the news that Courtney and I will be a family of four,” Cook said on Instagram. (The couple already has a dog, Huxley)
