Damien Cook has big waves to thank for his astonishing speed

GROWING up on the beach, new Rabbitohs recruit Damien Cook never imagined big surf would one day play a crucial role in saving his rugby league career.

NSW Surf Life Saving Championships 2008 at Blacksmiths Beach, Lake Macquarie. In the semi-final of the open mens flags Damien Cook (front) of Helensburgh Stamwell Park dives for a flag.

AS A kid growing up on the beach, new Rabbitohs recruit Damien Cook never imagined big surf would one day play such a crucial role in saving his rugby league career.

A national U15 flags champion, the now lightning fast hooker chose to spend his time burning his feet on the sand — because rough seas north of Wollongong were too dangerous for the little nippers.

“I was on the beach from a very young age, as far back as I can remember,” the former Bulldog said in the lead up to his NRL club debut for the Rabbitohs tomorrow against the Roosters.

“Helensburgh-Stanwell Park was my local surf club and it has a reputation for massive surf.

“So that is probably why most of us at that club were beach sprinters and flaggers.”

But it played right into Cook’s hands.

Still without a contract in August last year, Cook seized his future in a matter of roughly three seconds.

Cook had been called up for his first NRL game of the year for the Bulldogs in a match ironically against Souths following an injury to Canterbury’s starting No 9 Michael Lichaa.

It was in that game that he set up a brilliant try for Sam Perrett when he chased after a charge down from a field-goal attempt and showed astonishing speed to keep the ball from going dead in goal.

Damien Cook finds some space for Souths during the Charity Shield game against the St George Illawarra Dragons. Picture: Mark Evans

“I was sort of playing for my life in that game,” he said.

“I was trying to earn that next contract and keep my career going.

“I was coming to the end of that second year and I was starting to worry about where I was going to be playing next season.

“I had to take my chance.

“The ball was about to roll dead and I managed to get there in time and tap in back in and Sammy Perrett put the try down and it made it worthwhile.”

While the Rabbitohs probably weren’t too happy with him on the night, the performance eventually secured his future.

“I played obviously the last six games I think it was and from that, lucky enough I ended up over at Souths,” he said.

Asked if his aim now was to try and win the race for a place in Souths’ starting team, Cook said he was more than happy to play tag team with Cameron McInnes, who currently holds the No 9 jumper.

“It has been good with Cam,” Cook said.

“We work together very well.

“We have a good relationship.

“I room with Cam when we go away so we both want the best out of each other.

“We are different but we also try and learn from one another.

“The good thing is we push each other off and on the field as well.

“I hope there is room for us both.”

Originally published as Damien Cook has big waves to thank for his astonishing speed