St George Illawarra are preparing to offer former NSW hooker Damien Cook a two-year deal, pending approval from South Sydney.
The Dragons have learned that Cook might be released by the Rabbitohs due to salary cap constraints and have inquired about the former representative dummy half’s availability for next year.
former representative dummy half’s availability next year.
Cook is contracted with the Rabbitohs until the end of 2025 on a deal worth about $650,000. The Dragons are willing to offer him a contract but would require South Sydney to contribute part of his salary in 2025.
The opportunity for Cook to move on emerged a few weeks ago when Super League club Huddersfield made direct inquiries with South Sydney officials, hoping to lure the hooker to England on a two-year deal.
The Rabbitohs informed Cook’s manager, Mario Tartak, that they were unlikely to offer him an extension beyond 2025 and would not stand in his way if he secured a longer deal in England or with another NRL club.
The Dragons have since been in discussions with Tartak about Cook’s future. They had also considered Jeremy Marshall-King for the next season, but he chose to recommit to the Dolphins, who are set to face Cronulla in the opening game of round 15 on Thursday night.
Cook, who turns 33 later this month, has had a challenging start to the season and was briefly dropped by former coach Jason Demetriou earlier in the year.
The Rabbitohs recently extended back-up hooker Peter Mamouzelos’ contract until the end of 2027, viewing him as the future of the club.
While the Dragons are content with their current hooker, Jacob Liddle, they consider him more suitable as a No. 14 option rather than a starting No. 9.