NRL 2022: Souths stars watch on as key man returns to training

While Damien Cook got through training on Tuesday, a couple of his teammates remain in doubt for Sunday’s game with the Roosters.

James Tedesco knows how dangerous Blues teammate Cameron Murray will be if he’s named. Picture: Richard Dobson

Damien Cook took part in South Sydney training but Campbell Graham and Cameron Murray were on light duties as the pair race the clock to be fit for Sunday’s elimination final against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

Murray spoke on Monday at the NRL finals launch and said he’d be right to go after he suffered his second category 1 concussion in the opening set of last week’s loss to the Roosters.

The skipper was furious in the sheds after the game and it’s the second time he’s been knocked out of a crucial match following his head knock in the State of Origin decider.

Cameron Murray was forced off after just the second tackle. Picture:; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

He’ll need to get clearance from an independent specialist if he wants to play.

Campbell Graham is also in doubt for Sunday’s clash as he continues to recover from a head clash with North Queensland’s Coen Hess that rubbed him out of the round 25 game at Allianz.

He went through very light duties at training on Tuesday but didn’t take part in any of the contact stuff.

Cook, though, is right to go and seems as sharp as ever after he missed two games due to Covid-19.

The Rabbitohs were never in the contest last week and it was clear that they desperately missed Cook and Murray’s speed around the ruck.

“Teams defend differently when Cooky is at nine, just because of his speed,” five-eighth Cody Walker said.

“We know how dangerous Cam is when he runs the ball. He gets quick play the balls and things. They’re such an important part of our team and we’ve missed someone like Cooky over the past couple of weeks because he does so much for us.

“Not many people outside of the organisation probably appreciate what he does. He plays 80 minutes and makes close to 60 tackles a game. And then his speed out of nine is very dangerous.”

Damien Cook trained on Tuesday and will be a huge inclusion for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Rabbitohs had very little to play for in last week’s game, with both teams guaranteed to finish sixth and seventh, but it was clear the Roosters were the hungrier team as they hunted for a home final.

There’s been a bit of spice already this week, with reports Rabbitohs fans were sent the wrong code to buy tickets for Sunday’s game, with Walker questioning – tongue in cheek – who was behind it.

Souths will start outsiders even though the Roosters are without the injured Joseph Manu, but halfback Lachlan Ilias warned they still had plenty up their sleeve after holding a few things back last week.

“Maybe we didn’t show our full deck,” the young playmaker said.

“Maybe we’ve got a few tricks coming. We’ve got a plan this week and we’re going to stick to it.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Souths stars watch on as key man returns to training