‘Angry, sad, and frustrated’: Damien Cook details South Sydney axing

An emotional Damien Cook has revealed details of his discussion with South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou which led him being dropped from first grade.

Damien Cook. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

South Sydney hooker Damien Cook has admitted being “angry, sad, shocked and frustrated” at being dumped for his club’s big match against Cronulla.

Cook, a NSW State of Origin star, was a shock omission from a Rabbitohs side desperately chasing a win to save coach Jason Demetriou from being sacked.

“Of course I’m angry – frustrated and angry; sad, all the emotions,” Cook told the Big Sports Breakfast radio show.

“No doubt, it shocked me. It was obviously a tough conversation (with Demetriou) in the morning.

“I want to be out there on the field doing my best to get us out of where we are. That’s why I’m angry and frustrated because I want to be out there with them.

“But I can’t mope around. All I can do is focus on my game, where I can be better and work harder to get back. I’m confident I’ll be back.”

Asked if he had been made a scapegoat, Cook said: “No, I don’t think so. We’re not winning at the moment.

Damien Cook has been dropped from South Sydney’s 17. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“The leaders of the team need to lead the way and we mustn’t be doing a good enough job.”

Cook hasn’t been named in the NSW Cup this weekend.

With a bye next week, it means Cook won’t play a game for up to three weeks.

“All I can do is try and prove myself at training,” he said.

Cook gave an insight into his discussion with Demetriou.

“It’s been tough. Obviously changes needed to be made and he needs me to be better,” Cook said.

Jason Demetriou swung the axe ahead of round 6. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

“He wants me to keep working hard and that’s all I can do. This weekend, it will be tough to sit there and watch. I know I’ve got more to give.

“It comes down to small moments in a game where our resilience goes out the window.

“We honestly thought we were heading in the right direction after the Bulldogs game but then it didn’t click again in the Warriors game.

“We’re just not having our resilience on the tryline and we went back to (making) silly errors as well.

“We know the talent we have in the side but something’s just not clicking at the moment.”

Souths play the Sharks on Saturday night at Accor Stadium.

Originally published as ‘Angry, sad, and frustrated’: Damien Cook details South Sydney axing