By Adrian Proszenko and Christian Nicolussi
Under-pressure South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou is expected to make another bombshell selection call by dropping representative hooker Damien Cook to the bench for Friday night’s showdown with the Roosters.
Having already axed halfback Lachlan Ilias after just two games, Demetriou is considering demoting Cook to the bench in a bid to spark a side attempting to avoid a 0-3 start to the season. Siliva Havili is likely to start the game at dummy-half, with Cook to provide a spark off the interchange bench.
Demetriou was tight-lipped about the potential to start Cook off the bench on Thursday. Cook and Havili spent time running at dummy-half with the main squad.
Cook was relegated to the interchange for Havili against the Warriors last season, a game they won 28-6 in Auckland. It was one of Souths’ four triumphs from their past 15 outings.
The 32-year-old Cook is the incumbent NSW No.9, having started for the Blues in their 24-10 victory over Queensland in the final State of Origin game last year.
Cook’s output in the opening two games has been a combined 81 tackles (93 per cent efficiency), 98 running metres, one try assist, one line-break assist and 200 touches of the ball.
Damien Cook has been dumped to the bench.Credit: Getty
As well as having Havili on the books, the club has a promising young rake in Peter Mamouzelos. Considered Cook’s long-term successor, Mamouzelos is contracted until the end of 2027. The 23-year-old, who has made seven NRL appearances, was named in the reserves in jersey No.21.
Dean Hawkins, named as Ilias’ replacement, will play his seventh NRL game against a Roosters side missing Luke Keary, who is again sidelined with concussion.
Demetriou was in no mood to explain why Ilias had been dropped, saying “that’s inside information” when asked if the club’s leadership group was behind the move to axe the No.7.
“Lachie knows it’s a step sideways to go forwards again,” he said.
South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias has failed to fire.Credit: Rhett Wyman/SMH
The coach preferred to heap praise on Hawkins, who he said was a popular member of the group.
“What I do know about Deano is he has a calm head, he’s a South Sydney junior, he’s red and green through and through,” Demetriou later told this masthead.
“He’s direct but calm, and his footy knowledge is as good as any player I’ve coached. He knows he can adapt in-game, which is key to him.
“He’s developed that the last couple of years in reserve grade, and learned his craft without the pressure of first grade. That’s so important for some of these young guys. Lachie will get that the next few weeks as well.”
Hawkins is a Matraville Tigers junior who passed on the chance to fast-track his development in the Super League in favour of train-and-trial deals with his beloved Bunnies.
He cut his knee on a signage sign when joining mates in the stands on the night he debuted, requiring 15 stitches.
Demetriou was criticised by former winger Josh Mansour this week who spoke about his final year at the club being the most difficult of his career, and how he would receive mixed messages from the coach.
When asked about Mansour’s comments, Demetriou said: “I’ll let Josh be Josh, and I’ll be me. That’s one thing I learned from last year, that I’ll continue to turn up here and be me. That’s all I’m worried about.”
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