NRL 2024: St George Illawarra Dragons recruit Damien Cook appeals for Ben Hunt to not quit the club
Damien Cook has revealed halfback Ben Hunt is a “big reason” why he’s joining the Dragons in 2025, launching an appeal for the star veteran to not quit the club as it eyes a drought-breaking finals berth.
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Dragons recruit Damien Cook has appealed for Ben Hunt to not quit the club as the former Test and Blues star tips a finals return for St George Illawarra next year.
Cook will captain Australia’s Prime Minister’s XIII against PNG in Port Moresby on Sunday before embarking on his second coming as a Dragon.
The zippy hooker made his NRL debut for the Dragons in 2013, playing two games before embarking on stints with the Bulldogs (seven games) and Rabbitohs (207 games).
Now 33, Cook is entering the twilight of his career and will return to St George Illawarra for at least the next two years in an attempt to clinch his first NRL premiership.
After bombing out of the NRL finals race this year with a string of disappointing results late in the season, the Dragons have netted the signatures of star players Cook and Valentine Holmes (Cowboys).
Coach Shane Flanagan is targeting a drought-breaking finals appearance in 2025 for the Dragons and will have a decent squad at his disposal.
But despite the positive signs in the Gong, doubt continues to surround the future of Hunt.
The Maroons and Kangaroos mainstay is off-contract at the end of 2025 and has been linked with a return to Queensland to finish his career.
Cook hopes that isn’t the case and Hunt remains with the Red V as they chase title success under Cronulla’s 2016 premiership mentor Flanagan.
“He (Hunt) is a big reason why I’m going there,” Cook said.
“I saw him the other day and all things were positive for the Dragons.
“I had to go through it (coming off-contract) and he’s got to go through it now. He’ll make a decision that’s best for him and his family.
“He’s coming towards the end of his career. Whether he’s down there for another couple of years or wants to finish up, I don’t know. You’d have to ask him.
“I’d love him to be there the whole time I’m there.”
Cook returns to the Dragons with 17 Origin games and four Test matches next to his name, having also featured in South Sydney’s 2021 grand final loss to Penrith.
But he is no certainty of nabbing the team’s No. 9 jersey following the rise of Jacob Liddle, his teammate in PM’s camp.
“We met not long ago at a kid’s birthday party,” Cook said.
“It’s been good to train alongside him and get to know him. That’ll make it a little easier when I walk into the Dragons on the first day of training.
“It’s teamwork, not a battle. We will be working together really well.
“He had a great season and was one of the Dragons’ top two players.
“We’ll make it work and it’ll be a good little combination that can hopefully put the Dragons up towards the top of the ladder where they belong.
“I’ve got no idea (if I’ll start). I want to go down there and earn the right and respect of my new teammates.”
The Dragons were wooden spoon favourites heading into the 2024 NRL season but finished in 11th, just missing the finals.
Flanagan has been credited for transforming the club and Cook said he did his homework when considering a return.
“It was more when I spoke to other players like Jaydn Su’A and Benny Hunt,” he said.
“There were rumours about them wanting to leave, but their mindset changed and they wanted to stay at the Dragons when Flanno came in.
“They loved everything he was doing and the direction the club was headed in.
“They should have been in the finals this year. That’s a lot of learnings we’ll take into next season.
“They had a hiccup in the last couple of games that kept them out of the eight, but I definitely think they’re a finals team.
“They’ve got a great young side with a bit of experience. I hope I can add to that.
“They’ve got a very powerful pack, especially the back row. I’m looking forward to playing behind those guys.”
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Originally published as NRL 2024: St George Illawarra Dragons recruit Damien Cook appeals for Ben Hunt to not quit the club
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