South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook has opened up on the rumours linking him with a potential exit from the club to either play overseason or for a rival NRL team.
Cook has broken his silence on the matter afterย The Sydney Morning Heraldย reported on Thursday that theย St George Illawarra Dragons are preparing to table him a two-year contract to recruit his services.
This came after he is unlikely to find himself playing with the club beyond the expiration of his contract, which ends in 2025, due to South not offering him a new contract and the club focusing on making Peter Mamouzelos the number one hooker at the club.
It has been reported that Super Leagueย clubย Huddersfield Giantsย have also made direct inquiries to the Rabbitohs in a bid to lure him overseas on a two-year contract.
โI still have another year to go here, I love this club, they've been great to me. We've been in a tough position this year, and we're doing everything we can to get us out of it," Cook said viaย The Herald.
โThey [Souths] have been everything. It's where I've started a family, bought a house, all those big moments have been while I've been at this great club.
โI've made no decision whatsoever. It's a bit new to me, all this [news]. I don't want to leave. We'll get through tomorrow's game, I'll speak to my manager next week and see where we are at.
โI've had conversations with Wayne. I've got a lot of respect for him. I've appreciated the phone calls we've had. He doesn't give much away, Wayne. He's a good listener.โ
A veteran of the Rabbitohs with 195 club games under his belt in the NRL, Cook's future has been in limbo due to the Rabbitohs' poor form over the past two seasons and salary cap restraints.
Also, former coach Jason Demetriou sensationally dropped him to the NSW Cup this season, where he paid the price for the club's woes.
Cook is a former NSW Blues and Kangaroos dummy-half who has spent time with the Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra Dragons throughout his playing career.
It is understood that theย South Sydney Rabbitohs will not prevent him from securing a longer contract with a rival team in the NRL or overseas.
