Damien Cook

[Hound of Dracula]

Nothing against Cook but can’t help but feel for Liddle

We needed depth at Hooker but IMO Liddle is too good to be the depth behind Cook.

We all complain that no-one wants to play for the Dragons, but Liddle did. After W/T got Api, Liddle wanted to prove himself in first grade – Even opting to play for us

He has won us all over yet here we are celebrating his replacement whilst we lament player loyalty.

Anyone who thinks we will play both Liddle and Cook in “rotation” have rocks in their heads. Struth – we run 4 forwards off the bench.

To me, we needed depth for Liddle but top dollar needed spending on other key areas – not hooker.

I hope he gets another first-grade opportunity elsewhere and I hope he kills it!

Yeah Yeah - Fully expect the "It's a business" response.

Just re - reading my posts on the Cook thread

This one was posted whilst my jaw was throbbing and I was self medicating with Scotch whisky. Turns out I had a cracked tooth, infected and developed into an abscess. I can tell you - it's the first time in my life I have involuntary screamed in pain when the dentist drill hit the infected nerve.

Anyway just tempering my pain filled rant.

I like Cook and agree with majority of posts supporting his recruitment but I also love Liddle

I don't believe either player offers F%&k all as a 14 other than Hooker

They are both specialist hookers

I also don't believe we can afford to carry specialists on our bench for one position in "rotation"

Would be happy for anyone to explain how it would work (I.E. The full bench rotation) but considering we opt for 4 forwards on our bench with Zero outside back coverage nor any Hooker/Half coverage, I can't fathom it.

I just believe Liddle will end up becoming depth Hooker to Cook, not a bench rotation, because we just don't have the talent to support 2 Hookers = Unfair to Liddle IMO

 

[Victoire]

Flanno wanted a niggler and a grub at the sharks, he got Ennis to fit that role, he already had Gallen the leader and warhorse which is what we are lacking. I don't put Cook into the Ennis category but i get your point.

Bit dismissive to reduce Ennis to a mere grub. He was also an experienced leader and a master of his craft around the ruck

 

[justadragon]

Bit dismissive to reduce Ennis to a mere grub. He was also an experienced leader and a master of his craft around the ruck

I'm not saying he was just a mere grub, but Flanno wanted someone that could get under the skin of other teams and Ennis was perfect (hence Ennis the menace) he was good at his craft, but the master of that type of player I think would be Smith, who I have no doubt will be the next immortal.

 

[TruSaint]

delete

 

[<StGeorgeDragons>]

Realise we were burnt by the Volkman incident but why hasn't our club officially announced Damien Cook's signing by this stage?

Might seem innocuous but all these little lazy things add up to paint a poor picture of how the club functions.

 

[pinball_collector]

Realise we were burnt by the Volkman incident but why hasn't our club officially announced Damien Cook's signing by this stage?

Might seem innocuous but all these little lazy things add up to paint a poor picture of how the club functions.

the club did officially a few days ago.

 

[<StGeorgeDragons>]

the club did officially a few days ago.

my bad. i missed it.

 

[Dragon David]

my bad. i missed it.

Dragons sign Damien Cook for two years

The Dragons are proud to announce the signing of Damien Cook for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[Veteran Dragon]

Cook brings so much experience, leadership and know how to the club, Liddle will thrive playing in the same roster, hopefully guiding him on how to reach the next level.

100% Agree, he is not a risky signing we know what we are getting, a very professional player with a great attitude who rarely has a bad game.

 

[<StGeorgeDragons>]

6/7 with the boot today so far

Next year's goal kicker?

 

[56to66]

It burns me inside to see Hornby at Souffs and Young with us.
Hornby the Next Dragons coach after Flanno decides to retire, but hey if Flanno wins a few Premierships, it might until 2034 Hornby becomes head Coach at the Red V.

 

[Auntie.Gerald]

Cooks killed it today

 

[Budpower]

Cooks the best hooker in the world

 

[Dragon David]

Cooks killed it today

Yep, sure did. Made lots of breaks, defended quite well and kicked goals like it was his every week job. He played better at centre than the guy he replaced who went off injured, Richard Kennar.

 

[maestro1]

It burns me inside to see Hornby at Souffs and Young with us.
Hornby the Next Dragons coach after Flanno decides to retire, but hey if Flanno wins a few Premierships, it might until 2034 Hornby becomes head Coach at the Red V.

If Flanno wins a few premierships does it really matter when and if Hornby coaches at the Dragons. Loved him as a player but that doesn't mean he MUST be given opportunity to coach the Dragons. I want the coach that makes us great again and keeps us great. If that is Hornby, well and good, but I don't want to see charity appointments. If he is good and deserves it... By all means

 

[BLM01]

Yep, sure did. Made lots of breaks, defended quite well and kicked goals like it was his every week job. He played better at centre than the guy he replaced who went off injured, Richard Kennar.

I agree and disagree. Happy to have Cookie as hooker or even back up in time at our club but father time is catching up with him in defence and as a centre he will get caught out, which we all know he is not really but a fill in emergency only.
I noticed a few times in the middle he was caught being a bit lazy at marker and out wide got brushed off trying to arm grab and needed to put some shoulder or dive into the tackle.
But as I said happy to have him and I will think it will be a huge improvement with him & Liddle at 9

 

[RedV Resurgence]

Liddle will play some time at lock. After the first 25 minutes of a game, I expect to see both of them on the field.

One of these guys will start on the bench and then come on after 20-25 minutes. Then I think both will remain on for the rest of the game.

In the event of an injury, Cook can cover a space in the outside backs and Liddle can revert to hooker.

What I see is speed through the middle with these guys in the team. Don't be suprised if they swap roles at times during the later stages of games to change our attack.

 

[AyiosYiorgos]

Liddle will play some time at lock. After the first 25 minutes of a game, I expect to see both of them on the field.

One of these guys will start on the bench and then come on after 20-25 minutes. Then I think both will remain on for the rest of the game.

In the event of an injury, Cook can cover a space in the outside backs and Liddle can revert to hooker.

What I see is speed through the middle with these guys in the team. Don't be suprised if they swap roles at times during the later stages of games to change our attack.

I see Cook Starting, Liddle on bench, depending how game is going, either Liddle subs Cook, or Cook moves to a roving/lock position, having both on the field will create ruck speed for the whole game, as long we can get some quick play the balls, they both can take advantage then have a rampaging Leluia on the back of that and Sloan sniffing around as well, sounds Deeeelicious....

 

[dungay dragon]

Liddle will play some time at lock. After the first 25 minutes of a game, I expect to see both of them on the field.

One of these guys will start on the bench and then come on after 20-25 minutes. Then I think both will remain on for the rest of the game.

In the event of an injury, Cook can cover a space in the outside backs and Liddle can revert to hooker.

What I see is speed through the middle with these guys in the team. Don't be suprised if they swap roles at times during the later stages of games to change our attack.

Cook has not been bought by this Club to play Centre ..
He will share the 9 with Liddle and will be interesting to see how Flanno works it
Sure in an emergency situation Cookie could fill in But his defence at times can also be thread bare , as it was on certain occasions yesterday
.His experience , professionalism will be invaluable to our younger players
Hell id even make him Skipper and take the pressure off BH
The biggest question is where does that leave Bird ??
Initially , i saw him as a 14 because of his versatility but most teams have at least 2 back rowers and a prop in rotation .
Can we carry a lightweight loose forward on the bench..? Interesting ..
We will nail at least 1 poss 2 heavyweight forwards in coming weeks with Flanno wanting domination thru the middle , and not being rag dolled as we are now
Time will tell ........

 

[RedVee]

Cook has not been bought by this Club to play Centre ..
He will share the 9 with Liddle and will be interesting to see how Flanno works it
Sure in an emergency situation Cookie could fill in But his defence at times can also be thread bare , as it was on certain occasions yesterday
.His experience , professionalism of our younger guys will be invaluable to our younger players
Hell id even make him Skipper and take the pressure off BH
The biggest question is where does that leave Bird ??
Initially , i saw him as a 14 because of his versatility but most teams have at least 2 back rowers and a prop in rotation .
Can we carry a lightweight loose forward on the bench..? Interesting ..
We will nail at least 1 poss 2 heavyweight forwards in coming weeks with Flanno wanting domination thru the middle , and not being rag dolled as we are now
Time will tell ........

We will? Or Will we?