Clint Gutherson has signed with St George Illawarra, now fellow Dragons recruit Damien Cook has urged the club to get Lachie Ilias.
Ilias has one year remaining on his deal at Souths, and with English halfback Lewis Dodd to be given first shot at the No. 7, incoming coach Wayne Bennett is reportedly weighing up using Ilias as a back-up dummy-half option to Peter Mamouzelos.
The Dragons need a new halfback following the departure of Ben Hunt, and have identified Ilias as a potential option – and Cook has made it known to coach Shane Flanagan and Ilias why the move should happen.
Having 24-year-old Ilias and Cook re-united would partly help the new-look Dragons’ spine of fullback Gutherson and five-eighth Kyle Flanagan gel.
“Souths weren’t travelling that well last season, and Lachie copped a lot of that criticism, which was unfair,” Cook said.
“I think Lachie is a great halfback, he’s a great defender, he’s still got plenty to learn, and he hasn’t had the chance to show what he’s capable of. Lachie’s a halfback, not a hooker.”
Clint Gutherson signs with St George Illawarra Dragons.Credit: St George Illawarra
“He’s looked after his [leg] injury, and when I’ve spoken to him, he tells me he’s progressing really well.
“I’d love to see him at the Dragons. I’ve been in his ear, too.
“I know he loves Souths, but I’ll be letting him know what I think. He’s a halfback, not a dummy-half. Later on in his career, he might end up at lock because he is that bigger body, and he’s a good ball player. I understand Souths might be thinking about what they’re doing. He will be a part of their best 17, but they’ve also got other halves ahead of him.
“I know Lachie would love it at the Dragons.”
The Dragons announced on Friday they had signed Gutherson to a three-year deal.
“Clint will be a fantastic addition to our squad over the next three seasons,” Flanagan said in a statement.
“He is not just an elite fullback; he also brings leadership, competitiveness, toughness and versatility. In addition to his obvious on-field qualities he will also be a huge asset to our emerging players over the coming years.”
Cook spent nine seasons at the Rabbitohs, a club where he went on to play for NSW and Australia, and even started a young family.
Now 33, Cook knows a fresh start will do wonders for his mind, and he was eager to start training on November 25.
Flanagan is eager to use Cook and fellow hooker Jacob Liddle in the 17, which was relayed to Cook by Flanagan during negotiations. Cook has played lock forward, and likes the idea of him and Liddle being on the field at the same time un a bid to “try and have that one-two punch”.
Cook said he got to know Gutherson during the 2020 end-of-year NSW Origin camp on the Central Coast.
“He’s not only a great player, but he’s a great guy to have in your locker room,” Cook said of Gutherson.
Dodd has been recruited from St Helens on a three-year deal at Souths, while Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Latrell Mitchell, Jye Gray and even Josh Schuster are all halves options.
Meanwhile, Cook will oversee his first League Nines Youth Series in Wollongong on Saturday, which will feature 20 clubs from as far north as Coffs Harbour, and Milton-Ulladulla to the south, along with clubs from the South Sydney, St George and Canterbury districts. The NSWRL-sanctioned tournament will feature players in the under-13, under-14 and under-15 age groups, and a small purse to the winner.
“We had a lot of washouts this year, so this is a great chance to play some footy, and even sign up a few extra players for the next season,” said Cook, whose tournament will kick-off at Sid Parrish Park in Figtree.
