Souths star Damien Cook calls Nathan Cleary the complete player

South Sydney star Damien Cook believes Nathan Cleary is the complete player and has lauded Api Koroisau as the Rabbitohs prepare to face Penrith.

Souths hooker Damien Cook during the semi-final win over Parramatta. Picture: Brett Costello

South Sydney star Damien Cook has branded Penrith half Nathan Cleary the complete footballer and lauded the impact of rival rake Api Koroisau as the Rabbitohs prepare to face the Panthers in Saturday night’s grand final qualifier.

Cook, coming off one of his finest performances in a Souths jersey, will be key to the Rabbitohs’ hopes of progressing to the grand final by beating the form side of the competition in the preliminary final at ANZ Stadium.

Cleary and Koroisau will likewise be pivotal for the Panthers. The pair have been outstanding as Penrith have strung together 16 wins on the bounce, working in tandem to lead a young Penrith side around the park.

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Cleary, in particular, has elevated his game to another level this season. He is short odds to take out the Dally M medal as the games’ best player next week but before then, will be the central figure as Penrith attempt to plot a path past the rampant Rabbitohs.

“He looks like the complete player at the moment,” Cook said.

“His calmness at such a young age — I was lucky enough to play with him as well (at Origin) and even on that stage he was calm.

“He has a great little kicking game, he is strong in defence, and he is doing his job as a halfback getting the team around.

“Then we see his halves partner (Jarome Luai) doing a job outside him as well. They have some young talent as well.

“There is a lot of strike across that whole side at the moment. Nathan, I am sure, is arguably the best player this year.”

Asked whether Cleary was the complete package, Cook said: “I can’t see one (a deficiency in his game). He is playing great footy at the moment. He has a game plan in his head and he sticks to it.”

As for Koroisau, there was a point where some believed he was putting pressure on Cook for a place in the NSW State of Origin side.

If there was any doubt over Cook’s grip on the No 9 jersey, it has been erased in recent weeks via a series of exhilarating performances that have cemented his status as the form hooker in NSW.

Having starred in their win over Newcastle on the opening weekend of the finals, Cook stepped it up a notch against Parramatta. He finished the game running for more than 160 metres and threw in two try assists for good measure.

He saved the best to last, picking up a Mitchell Moses kick in the final throes of the match and racing 50 metres to score. He did it all despite carrying a knee injury that has plagued him through the back end of the season.

“Everyone at the moment has bumps and bruises everywhere,” Cook said. “There is nothing structural wrong with the knee. It is more an annoying thing that it keeps getting bumped in the same spot.

“That is just footy at the moment. We all know it is survival of the fitness. It goes good and then you get another (knock) on it.

“Origin is a whole different thing and you have to put that to the back of your mind. You get picked on your form. You let your performances do the talking.

“Everyone has the same goals in this game – everyone wants to play in the grand final, everyone wants to play for their country.”

As for Koroisau, Cook is a fan.

“I love him, I love watching Api. I always have,” Cook said.
“I love watching other hookers play and he is one I like to watch. He has great deception around the ruck and he is a big reason why Penrith are where they are at this year.

“They have a great forward pack and he knows how to use them well. So he is definitely one of their best players – a stand out this year.”