Damien Cook makes shock contract call

St George Illawarra Dragons dummy half will leave the club at the end of 2026, bound for the English Super League.

Cook, who was in negotiatgions with the Dragons previously, was forced to sit and wait on his future after the Dragons put an internal contract freeze across their playing group following a dismal start to the campaign, which saw Shane Flanagan sacked after the seventh straight loss.

Channel 9s Danny Weidler has revealed that the hooker has signed a two-year contract with the Castleford Tigers and will relocate around the world for the 2027 and 2028 campaigns before calling it a day on his career.

In a media release, Cook and the Dragons confirmed the news.

“Captaining the Dragons has been one of the proudest experiences of my career. As a kid from the area, it has meant a lot to me to start and end my NRL journey here,” Cook said.

“My full focus right now is on doing everything I can for this team and this club over the remainder of 2026. I've loved my time at the Dragons, and I'm determined to finish it the right way.”

The Dragons interim coach Dean Young also commented on Cook's impact. 

“I think Cookie's legacy will be that he refused to give up,” Young added.

“It took him until 25 years of age to find his place in the NRL, and then to go on and play as many Origins, Tests, and NRL games as he did just shows every kid that, if you refuse to give up, you're always a chance.

“It was great to get Cookie back in the Red V as a player that came from the area, and the Dragons are in a better place for having him walk back through the doors.”

The 34-year-old will finish his sporting career in the Super League, but not without aiming to amass over 250 appearances in the NRL.

The veteran currently sits at 248 games, playing most of his career at the Rabbitohs before returning to his debut club, the Dragons, last season. 

The Dragons CEO Tim Watsford also spoke on the loss of Cook, thanking his contribution to the club since returning.

“Damien has been a valued member of this club since coming back prior to last season,” Watsford said.

“As a kid from Helensburgh who would go on to represent his state and country whilst captaining his club, Damien is an inspiration for so many young kids in our region. Few players in our game command the respect he does, and his leadership, attitude, and hard work have proven pivotal for our club.

“We wish Damien, his wife Courtney, and his three children the best of luck moving forward.”

The Dragons have had a tumultuous start to the season, and that continued on Anzac Day, with the club losing their eighth straight game in a horror loss to the Sydney Roosters.