‘Set to play a bigger role’: Mamouzelos could get more game time this year after signing new deal with Souths

The Rabbitohs have started planning for the future, with South Sydney signing Damien Cook’s long-term replacement on a lengthy new deal.

The Rabbitohs have re-signed Peter Mamouzelos in a sign the young hooker is the main to replace Damien Cook. Picture: NRL Photos

The Rabbitohs have locked in Damien Cook’s long-term replacement with local junior Peter Mamouzelos signing a new three-year deal that will keep him at South Sydney until the end of the 2027 season.

The 23-year-old has long been seen as Cook’s heir apparent but will have to bide his time with the representative rake on contract until the end of 2025.

Mamouzelos has played seven NRL matches so far and could get more game time over the next two seasons if the Rabbitohs decide to give Cook a breather either side of half-time.

Damien Cook still has two years to run on his deal. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“I’m really excited to be extending my time with this club,” said Mamouzelos, who is a South Sydney junior from the Maroubra Lions club.

“I told my manager I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I’ve grown up here in the South Sydney area, it’s always been my team and I love this club.

“When I spoke to him and he said we’re staying here, I was ecstatic.

“We have the best members and fans in the competition and it’s an honour to play for them each week.

“My family have made so many sacrifices for me to get to where I have and I can’t thank them enough.

“I want to thank Ello (Mark Ellison), JD (Jason Demetriou) and all of the coaches for believing in me.

“I also want to thank the players for helping me develop my game. I think we have the best playing group in the comp and I’m certain that we have what it takes to win the comp as well.

“I’m just really excited to have re-signed and I can’t wait the footy to start in a few weeks’ time.”

Peter Mamouzelos represented Greece at the 2022 World Cup. Picture: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Head of football, Mark Ellison, has indicated that Mamouzelos will play more first grade over the coming years, with the young dummy-half playing a key role in South Sydney’s NRL State Championship win on grand final day.

“Pete is a South Sydney junior that has worked hard to get into the position he finds himself with the opportunity to play more first grade in the coming seasons,” he said.

“He is relishing the opportunity to work with one of the best hookers in our game in Damien Cook, as well as other seasoned players such as Siliva Havili, and he is the sort of player that works hard on his game and learns about the dummy-half role from his teammates and his coaches.

“We’ve seen him improve consistently over the past few years as he has worked his way up through the grades and he is set to play a bigger role in first grade in the coming seasons.”