Damien Cook

[justadragon]

Yeah if Flanno's trying to replicate his 2016 model then it fits the Mick Ennis type player rather well. Although Cook is a couple of years older than Ennis was, he also started his NRL career at an age a few years older than Ennis was too. However re: the big games I recall him being sensational in the 2021 prelim final.

I guess after the Volkman fiasco we're waiting for the original documents to be certified by a team of JP's and notary publics before the news is officially announced?

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.

 

[justadragon]

Cook should be immediately made captain upon his arrival next year !!!!

 

[Dragon David]

Cook should be immediately made captain upon his arrival next year !!!!

Exactly. Hunt's role should be to concentrate wholly and solely on being the great halfback that we are waiting to truly see and not worry about other decisions on the field. Now that we have Cook and Liddle, Hunt's escape from being taunted about playing in the 9 jersey has now happened. We can forget about saying Hunt should be the 9 from now on and having him as the 7 for the next couple of years without the captaincy will benefit us I am hoping.

 

[hewi]

Cook should be immediately made captain upon his arrival next year !!!!

‘Give Hunt more time to pack up his belongings and move back to Qld.

 

[Gareth67]

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

A Helensburgh Tigers junior, Cook made his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2013, playing two NRL games.

The 32-year-old has since spent two seasons with the Bulldogs and nine with the Rabbitohs, playing a total of 205 NRL games to date and establishing himself as one of the finest No.9s of the modern era. He has also featured in 17 Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia.

“It’s wonderful to have a player of Damien’s calibre return to our club,” said Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan.

“His qualities as a footballer and person are top class and he adds plenty of experience and strike to our roster over the coming seasons.”
View attachment 90072

Yes , received the gmail today . A bit like reading last weeks newspaper , but heh , news is hard to come by out here in the sticks , so I read it anyway .

By the way - a big welcome to the Big Red V young Damien , you will bring some much needed experience to the team .

 

[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.

 

[Parko1310]

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.

They will 100% be working in rotation. Team selections as of late won't be indicative of the team selections next year in all facets. Cook will be the starting 9, Liddle will be the 14. Liddle will be a very good 14, not good enough to be an 80 minute hooker in a top team. 14 is definitely his spot

 

[redv13]

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.

Both are more than capable of dropping back to lock during the game if needed. Same size as McInnes

 

[Hound of Dracula]

They will 100% be working in rotation. Team selections as of late won't be indicative of the team selections next year in all facets. Cook will be the starting 9, Liddle will be the 14. Liddle will be a very good 14, not good enough to be an 80 minute hooker in a top team. 14 is definitely his spot

I disagree
Cook's an 80 minute player
Why waste a specialist Hooker on the bench?
We need an all rounder for outside back and elsewhere of which we have NONE!
Anyway - we will find out soon enough

 

[Parko1310]

I disagree
Cook's an 80 minute player
What waste a specialist Hooker on the bench?
We need an all rounder for outside back and elsewhere of which we have NONE!
Anyway - we will find out soon enough

Cook is 33 (Dragons cocked his age up on the website saying he was 32, birthday was yesterday), he's not an 80 minute hooker. Neither is Liddle, his quality drops significantly when he plays longer minutes. When he plays off the bench, he has the ability to change a game. 2023 Anzac Day comes to mind. He simply doesn't have that game changing ability as a starter/long minute hooker. In terms of back coverage, lots of teams run with two out and out hookers. If a back goes down, Cook is quick enough to slot into centre, or we could end up with someone like Bird or something on the bench who predominantly gets used as a second row/lock but could fill in at centre or halves if need be. That part will be figured out in time I guess, but I would be completely shocked if its not a Cook/Liddle hooker rotation next season

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Cook is 33 (Dragons cocked his age up on the website saying he was 32, birthday was yesterday), he's not an 80 minute hooker. Neither is Liddle, his quality drops significantly when he plays longer minutes. When he plays off the bench, he has the ability to change a game. 2023 Anzac Day comes to mind. He simply doesn't have that game changing ability as a starter/long minute hooker. In terms of back coverage, lots of teams run with two out and out hookers. If a back goes down, Cook is quick enough to slot into centre, or we could end up with someone like Bird or something on the bench who predominantly gets used as a second row/lock but could fill in at centre or halves if need be. That part will be figured out in time I guess, but I would be completely shocked if its not a Cook/Liddle hooker rotation next season

If it is a Cook/Liddle "rotation" - we forego 40 minutes of game time covering Hooker and we still haven't solved outside back coverage . I know state of origin's faster than NRL but Cook was shite at centre. (Probably still better than Bird though )

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Both are more than capable of dropping back to lock during the game if needed. Same size as McInnes

Hell, there's plenty the size of Cameron McInnes, including me. But there is only one Cameron McInnes
We really screwed up the way we handled that one

 

[TheRev]

Cook was an 80min hooker in his prime, and maybe now he will be better in rotation... but I would say if necessary either of them could probably do the 80 minutes (which is rly handy)... we need more players who can do 80mins without falling off the perch.... but I suspect we dont want to make them do it every week.

I still am curious who is the injury cover for these 2 though.

 

[Hound of Dracula]

Cook was an 80min hooker in his prime, and maybe now he will be better in rotation... but I would say if necessary either of them could probably do the 80 minutes (which is rly handy)... we need more players who can do 80mins without falling off the perch.... but I suspect we dont want to make them do it every week.

I still am curious who is the injury cover for these 2 though.

In theory Rev - I don't disagree with you.
We are still building and I just feel we have not got to the stage where we can afford the luxury of carrying 2 specialist hookers.

 

[TheRev]

I'm not sure if Liddle could cover other backline positions.. im sure Cook could cover the halves and prob fullback.. its just centre thats always our drama.. but flanno must have someone in mind cause weve been carrying no backs on the bench lately.

 

[Nanadragon]

I can't get excited about signing a player who would rather stay where he is than come to us.

 

[Illusion]

I can't get excited about signing a player who would rather stay where he is than come to us.

Suli was the same so looks like we are getting players that are forced out by their clubs , good thing or not hope Cook has a couple of good years with us ..........

 

[TheRev]

I can't get excited about signing a player who would rather stay where he is than come to us.

He has also been quote to say hes quite excited now about the move.

But even if he hadn't, I cant imagine too many players that want to leave their longterm club just before they retire.

 

[Illusion]

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.

Agree do need a grub amongst the pack someone like Mahoney from the Bulldogs that gets under the skin of rival players .......

 

[Lovemedragons]

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.

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.