Huge payday looms as Rabbitohs lock down hooker Damien Cook
THE NRL’s free agent feeding frenzy is almost upon us and gun Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook is set to cash in with the biggest pay deal of his career.
AUSTRALIAN hooker Damien Cook is off-contract in a fortnight, and the 27-year-old will earn the biggest pay deal of his career.
Cook is eyeing off a long-term contract worth $800,000 a year and has made it clear he wants to stay at South Sydney.
His management want the club to upgrade his current deal — which he signed while a bench player — and offer him another contract of about four seasons.
“I still have next year to go with Souths,” Cook said.
“I really enjoy it there. It’s part of the business. I do come off contract. It’s a bit different. Last time I did a contract I wasn’t sure where I was going to be. I’ve told my manager to look after that especially while I’m (in camp with the Australian squad).
“It is different this time around. I’ve openly said to Souths, I’d love to be there long-term.
“I’m 27. You never know how many more deals you’ll get. You have to make the most of it when you can.”
Cook has had little time to reflect on his remarkable season. But he pinpointed two key moments in his career which has helped shape him.
“It’s been a good journey and certain parts have been really important,” Cook said.
“Coming out of 20s and coming back to Illawarra. They just put a NSW Cup side in then. I was lucky Illawarra put a team on the park to allow me to continue my journey.
“It was my stepping stone. I wasn’t flying out of 20s. l kept developing as a player. Very grateful to have the Cutters come back into it and use them as a stepping stone.
“The next one was getting the No. 9 jersey for round one this year. It wasn’t a big reveal (by coach Anthony Seibold). I knew I’d had a big pre-season. He told me I’d have first crack.
“Once I had it I just had to keep playing well. Seibs puts a lot of trust and loyalty to his players. “f I kept playing well I knew I’d be able to keep my jersey.”
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Originally published as Huge payday looms as Rabbitohs lock down hooker Damien Cook