Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook has revealed a two-year extension is “all but done” after the club knocked back his initial contract request.
Cook was chasing a three-year deal but the club told him any contract beyond 2025 will be form dependent.
The 31-year-old plans on putting pen to paper on his new deal in the coming weeks and is backing himself to play another five seasons in the NRL.
“It’s very close, to be honest it’s all but done,” Cook told foxsports.com.au.
Round 1
MORE NRL NEWS GOAT DEBATE: How Nathan Cleary compares to the best halfbacks of all time INVESTIGATION: Radley’s nervous wait as NRL seeks update on WC incident ‘OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE’: How boxing champ fared at Rabbitohs training ‘WASN’T HAPPY’: Eels legend ‘baffled’ by star’s decision to cop ban over fine Souths were heavily criticised last year for refusing to offer club great Adam Reynolds anything beyond a 12-month extension, which eventually saw him leave for the Broncos. Cook was keen to extend to 2026 but said coach Jason Demetriou told him that wouldn’t be happening. “I spoke to JD, the three years isn’t going to be there which is understandable, the club has to look after their position as well,” Cook said. “But speaking to JD, he said if I’m playing good footy at that time there is no doubt he’ll re-sign me on that third or fourth year. “So that’s up to me now, the ball is in my court to make sure I keep my standard up and keep continuing the play good footy. The length of my career is up to me.” Cook, Walker and Mitchell are all off contract at the end of next season and therefore free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2024. But Demetriou expects all three will be re-signed by Christmas. “We’re very close. Hopefully Santa brings us a few Christmas presents and I think it’ll get done in the next few weeks,” Demetriou said. MORE NRL NEWS NEW ERA: Tommy Turbo breaks silence on Des sacking and Manly future FREE AGENCY: Eels’ $2m problem that won’t go away; Panthers’ house of cards TRANSFER CENTRE: Broncos bombshell as Titans snare gun forward ‘DISAPPOINTED’:League legend responds to NRL’s call to block Manly move Souths legend Sam Burgess is now an assistant coach at the club and said he’d been a “sounding board” for the trio. “I just get involved from a point of view as a past player, I never played for another NRL and there’s benefits that come with that so I just talk to them as a friend really,” Burgess said. “They’ve got a lot of advisers and people in their ear so for me I just like to be a sounding board if they have any genuine worries or concerns and I give them some honest communication about it.” Blues hooker Cook also revealed he was devastated to miss Kangaroos selection for the World Cup – and hasn’t given up on playing at the 2025 tournament. “It was very disappointing not to make it, it was a big goal of mine, a dream obviously but I couldn’t let it ruin my off-season. I’m a fan of the game too so I was really happy to get up and watch all the games,” Cook said. “I thought they won it quite easily to be honest, obviously they got the job done which was awesome to see Australia back on top as the No. 1 team in the world. I was happy to see them win. Radley should be allowed to play for NSW | 00:58 “There’s another world cup in a few years, obviously I’m getting older but all I can do is play my best footy and you never know what can happen. “I set goals every year, the World Cup, Origin and win the comp were on the list this year, so there were a few misses. “But I’m going to make sure I do them all again going into the new year and try and tick them all off. “All I can do is try and keep improving as a player and try and reach those goals.” Burgess believes if anyone can play for the Kangaroos at the next World Cup as a 25-year-old, it’s Cook. “Cookie is one of those guys who probably could, he’s fit, he’s professional, he’s healthy and trains harder than anyone I’ve seen so it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s still going,” he said. Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
