SuperCoach 2019 Player in Focus: Will Wayne Bennett ruin Cook?

No SuperCoach player is under more scrutiny in 2019 than Damien Cook. That’s because Wayne Bennett is known as the “SuperCoach Killer” after turning a host of stars into spuds. Is Cook his next victim?

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No SuperCoach player is under more scrutiny in 2019 than Damien Cook.

He scored the most SuperCoach points of any player last year and is therefore the most expensive player. But with great power comes great responsibility and Cook faces a tough challenge to repeat his heroics.

No player has ever topped SuperCoach two years in a row — and Cook’s task is made more difficult under a new coach.

Last year, Anthony Seibold unlocked Cook’s potential with an innovative and somewhat radical game plan based around Cook’s running game.

Damien Cook faces a tough task to repeat his heroics.

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However, freshly-recruited South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett is hardly one for testing tactical boundaries.

In fact, Bennett’s refusal to stray from the tried and tested was one of the main reasons he was dumped by the Broncos.

In fantasy land, Bennett is known as the “SuperCoach Killer”. That nickname may sound dramatic, but it’s backed up by the stats.

Bennett has turned plenty of SuperCoach stars into also-rans. Is Cook the next victim?

Damien Cook during South Sydney NRL training at Redfern Oval, without having a fulltime coach. Picture: Brett Costello

FROM PART-TIME COOK TO FULL-TIME CHEF

Breakout seasons don’t come any better than Cook’s performance in 2018. He started the year fighting for the starting hooker spot with Robbie Farah. He ended as a Kangaroo, Origin champion, preliminary finalist and Dally M Hooker of Year. All at the age of 27, at his third club. Along the way, Cook:

* Averaged a massive 6.3 points more than the next best SuperCoach player.

* Topped the hooker position in almost every key attacking statistic — runs (191 compared to next best Issac Luke on 147), run metres (2246 compared to next best Cameron McInnes on 1509), tackle busts (74 compared to next best Luke on 44) and offloads (25 compared to next best Luke on 24). He also finished second for tries (four) and try assists (10).

* While mostly noted for attack, Cook hardly shirked in defence, finishing with third most tackles (957) of any hooker behind Jake Friend (1148) and McInnes (980).

Damien Cook had a career year in 2018 and is under huge pressure to back it up. Picture: AAP

BUT CAN HE KEEP IT UP?

History says no. As the old SuperCoach saying goes, “never pick a player after a career year”.

SuperCoaches have gone cold on Cook with his ownership dropping to 29.1 per cent in 2019, well down on his finishing total from last season of 45 per cent.

BENNETT THE ‘SUPERCOACH KILLER’

Wayne Bennett is the most decorated coach in history. His success comes from a mentality of team first, individual second.

In other words, Bennett spreads the load across an entire team and doesn’t rely on individuals.

While this approach has undoubted success in actual NRL, it’s a nightmare for SuperCoach.

Last year is a perfect example, especially when Bennett’s Broncos are compared to the Sea Eagles.

Trent Barrett’s side struggled with injury, form, off-field issues and everything in between.

With a lack of depth, they were forced to rely heavily on a key group of players.

This resulted in a SuperCoach bonanza with Jake Trbojevic (second), Tom Trbojevic (third), Martin Taupau (eighth) and Daly Cherry-Evans (11th) all finishing at the pointy end of the SuperCoach rankings.

Damien Cook was devasated when the Rabbitohs bowed out of the finals but none of that detracts from a stellar season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Conversely, Bennett’s best performing player was Jamayne Isaako at a lowly 26th. The season before it was Matt Gillett at 17th.

However, while the Broncos lacked individual impact under Bennett, they were the best team in the competition at spreading the load.

Twelve of Bennett’s squad from last year (just short of a starting NRL side) finished in the top 150 players. This was the most of any club.

To sum up, Bennett has too many cooks. His style, while successful on the field, doesn’t allow for individuals to shine.

VERDICT

Cook is too good not to be a SuperCoach factor and will likely end the year as the top hooker ahead of Cameron Smith. However, law of averages says he can’t quite keep the stats up, especially under Bennett. Avoid early and jump on at a reduced priced.

Originally published as SuperCoach 2019 Player in Focus: Will Wayne Bennett ruin Cook?