Jack Cook’s journey from Tweed Seagulls fringe player to starting hooker and co-captain

In the space of 12 months, Jack Cook has gone from a fringe Tweed player to the club’s No.1 hooker and temporary co-captain.

IN the space of 12 months, Jack Cook has gone from a fringe Tweed player to the club’s No.1 hooker and temporary co-captain.

Born in Auckland and a Burleigh Bears junior, Cook spent time with the Melbourne Storm’s under-20 program before returning to the Coast in 2017 – but this time with the Seagulls.

He joined with the intention of establishing himself as a hooker but was stuck behind Sam Meskell and, last year, Eli Levido, forcing him to call on his versatility to play roles including lock and five-eighth.

After a one-off Intrust Super Cup outing in his first season at the club, Cook earned 15 appearances last year and very much impressed coach Ben Woolf.

Jack Cook passes out of dummy-half during Tweed’s Intrust Super Cup trial match against Burleigh last month. Picture: Steve Holland

With Meskell heading to Tugun and Levido to the Illawarra Cutters, the 22-year-old is now the clear option to wear the No.9 jersey – unless a Titan like Mitch Rein drops back – and Woolf is totally comfortable with that.

“He is a very physical defender. He controls the tackle very well – he is strong and gets them on their back a lot of the time,” Woolf said.

“His talk both on the field and off the field is very good. When he talks, people listen. That’s probably what stands out the most.”

Cook admitted Meskell and Levido will be big shoes to fill.

Eli Levido was the club’s lead rake last year. Picture: SMP Images

“They’re two good hookers. I’m not really a flashy hooker, I just keep it simple and pride myself on my defence,” he said.

“I came to the club wanting to play hooker but had to adjust because there were obviously players that were ahead of me in that position, so I just said, if I have to play utility to get in the side, I’ll play anywhere.

“It’s actually good just to play one position and stick to it for the whole pre-season, I have enjoyed it.”

He did however say that if Rein came back with the mission of playing 80 minutes at dummy-half that he would put his hand up for anywhere – even prop – if it means he is in the 17.

Jack Cook. Picture: SMP Images

As for being awarded the co-captaincy alongside John Palavi while regular skipper Cheyne Whitelaw draws closer to returning from a knee injury, Cook said he was shocked by the honour.

“I was stoked to hear that they trust me leading, even though I haven’t played that many games. It’s a good feeling,” he said.

Tweed will host Papua New Guinea on Sunday afternoon. Rory Lillis is a late inclusion on the bench after Harry Hughes succumbed to a shoulder injury.

Tweed Rd1 team: 1. Talor Walters, 2. Ryland Jacobs, 3. Lamar Liolevave, 4. Treymain Spry, 5. Ioane Seiuli, 6. Lindon McGrady, 7. Ryley Jacks, 8. Leilani Latu, 9. Jack Cook (c), 10. John Palavi (c), 11. Kalani Going, 12. Jaleel Seve, 13. Kirk Murphy. Interchange: 14. Kurtis Dark, 15. Shane Gillham, 16. Rory Lillis, 17. Jarrod Morfett.