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Join our Fantasy SRP leagueDragons veteran Damien Cook makes call on future
Jasper Bruce, AAP •  February 11th, 2026 10:29 am
Damien Cook's leadership and experience make him a key part of the Dragons' rebuild | Photo: Brett Phibbs/AAP
Damien Cook is approaching a one-year contract extension with St George Illawarra that will keep the veteran hooker in the NRL past his 36th birthday.
Cook credits attention to his routine and a slower start to his first-grade career for priming him to play into a third season with the Dragons in 2027.
Shane Flanagan signed the ex-South Sydney rake last season as the Dragons continued their hunt for a first finals berth since 2018.
The Dragons' bench hooker Jacob Liddle enjoyed a better 2025 than Cook, but the Dragons have told the off-contract co-captain there is space for him at the club in 2027.
Damien Cook is confident he'll secure a third season at St George Illawarra | Photo: Mark Kolbe/AAP
Cook's leadership and experience shape as integral to the Dragons' ongoing rebuild.
"They're keen to keep me on so we're just sort of going through that stuff at the moment," Cook told AAP.
"Being a bit older, I've probably been a little bit more involved in this one so I've enjoyed that part of it as well. No doubt it'll get done soon.
"I'm not in the biggest rush but you just like to get them out of the way early and sort it out so we can get on with the season."
Cook spent time at Penrith, the Dragons and Canterbury before finally becoming a regular first-grader at South Sydney as a 24-year-old in 2016.
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He went on to win Dally M hooker of the year in 2018, play 17 games for NSW and help Souths to the 2021 grand final in 207 games for the club.
"I've put a lot of emphasis on my recovery, it's always been important to me throughout my career," he said.
"My body feels really good and it comes down to a lot of hard work that I've put into it as well but definitely the late start of my career definitely can help me play a bit longer."
Cook cited the Dragons' array of emerging talent as keeping him eager to play at the joint venture.
Toby and Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan and Hamish Stewart count among the Dragons' elite young forwards, while off-season backline recruits Setu Tu and David Fale have enjoyed strong pre-seasons.
"They're just a good bunch to work with, and you take a lot of stuff out of last year, all the close losses. It'll be pointless not to build on that if we don't do that this year," Cook said.
