Damien Cook has announced that he plans to return to South Sydney in a different capacity after concluding his playing career at the club.
Cook has signed a two-year deal with St George Illawarra for next season, even though he still had a year remaining on his contract with the Rabbitohs.
The former NSW Blues hooker vowed he will return to Maroubra one day.
“You’ll see me back here, no doubt,” Cook told the media ahead of his last game with the Rabbitohs.
“I’ll be behind the whistle, pushing the boys from a different angle.”
Cook, who began his career with the Dragons and then moved to the Bulldogs, eventually joined South Sydney in 2016 and has since played 206 games for the club.
Fittingly, Cook’s final match will be against arch-rivals the Roosters on Friday night.
The hooker admitted feeling “sad” as he walked into training for the last time.
“There’ll definitely be some emotions at the end of the game,” he said. “It was sad coming in on Monday, knowing it was my last week of training.”
Prop Thomas Burgess will also be leaving the Rabbitohs after the Roosters clash to join Huddersfield Giants on a three-year deal. The 32-year-old has also expressed his intention to return, noting that he’s renting out his Sydney house rather than selling it.
“I’ll be back in a couple of years after my time in England. I’m sure I’ll be back through these doors,” he said.