Damien Cook has confirmed the Dragons initerest in his services, but has denied he desires to leave Redfern.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins have reportedly signed promising outside back Jack Bostock to a two-year extension.
Already signed with the Dolphins until the end of 2025, Bostock will now be contracted through to the end of 2027.
The Dragons junior was one of Dolphins’ first signings.
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Bostock only played in four games last year but has come of age as a first grader in 2024 where he’s been a staple for the Dolphins on the left wing, appearing in all 13 matches.
The 20-year-old boasts quite the try-scoring strike rate this season, having crossed 11 times from 13 appearances.
His 11 tries means he’s one of the four men leading the competition’s tryscoring stats this season, alongside Maika Sivo, Tommy Talau and Sunia Turuva.
STAR HOOKER CONFIRMS DRAGONS INTEREST
South Sydney dummy half Damien Cook has shut down suggestions he’s trading Redfern for the South Coast from next season.
Speaking to Channel 9’s Danny Weidler out the front of earlier this week, Cook confirmed the Dragons interest in his services from next year, but is adamant he does not want to leave South Sydney.
“(It’s) pretty nice they’re (the Dragons) looking to put an offer in,” Cook said.
“Obviously I haven’t spoken to my manager. But (it’s) good to see they think I’ve still got plenty of footy (left).”
Earlier this week, it was reported the Dragons were ready to offer Cook a two-year deal from 2025 after being made aware the Rabbitohs are under salary cap pressure.
However, Cook insisted he had no desire to leave the club he’s made his name for himself at.
“I’ve still got another year to go here and I love this club, they’ve been great to me,” he said.
“They’ve been everything. It’s where I’ve started a family, bought a house. All those big moments have been while I’m at this club.
“I’ve made no decision whatsoever.”
South Sydney have struggled for much of 2024, and currently find themselves towards the bottom of the ladder. As a result of their poor form, Jason Demetriou was sacked earlier in the campaign, with Ben Hornby acting as interim until the end of the season.
From next year, Wayne Bennett will return to the club as coach, having led the club, and Cook, to the 2021 NRL Grand Final, where they were narrowly defeated by the Penrith Panthers.
The hooker, who has played nearly 200 games for the Bunnies, confirmed he’d had a conversation with Bennett, who would have a fair bit to say about his star hooker’s future.
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Souths officials earlier this month told Cook’s management they would be unable to offer him a contract beyond 2025 and they would not stand in his way if he was able to secure a longer deal elsewhere.
Cook’s contract next year is worth around $650,000, according to The SMH, and the Dragons would need the Rabbitohs to chip in part of his salary in 2025.
The Dragons are in the market for a No. 9 and reportedly spoke with Jeremy Marshall-King but he decided to re-sign with the Dolphins.
Roosters hooker Brandon Smith could also come into calculations with the New Zealand star on thin ice at the Tricolours after being issued a breach notice this month.
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan is happy with his current hooker Jacob Liddle but sees his future in the No.14 jersey.
The Rabbitohs recently re-signed young gun hooker Peter Mamouzelos until the end of 2027.
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Source Agencies
