'Disastrous' Dragons scenario looms after twin decisions

The Dragons shape as the mystery team of the 2025 premiership. The club has lost its two main strike weapons from last season - Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax - and that could prove disastrous. But they have picked up four quality, battle-hardened performers in Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Clint Gutherson (Eels), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs) and Val Holmes (Cowboys). If Ilias and Kyle Flanagan can fire as a halves combination, the loss of Hunt and his 32 try assists last season will be greatly lessened, while Kangaroos star Holmes has the class to replace Lomax out wide with his speed and ability to find the tryline. Gutherson seems a great addition as captain with his experience and will to win and his talk at the back will keep the Dragons' young forwards focused on the task at hand. Cook looked sharp in the win over the Roosters last weekend and is a player with a point to prove in 2025 after being unwanted by Souths. There's no doubt the Dragons relied too much on Hunt's experience and class in recent seasons - the arrival of Gutherson and Cook gives the Red V a more balanced squad. There are plenty of 'ifs' - but the potential is there for a better year than 2024 when the Dragons finished 11th - but just a win outside the top eight. One of the biggest teams in the NRL, the Dragons have the size to bully smaller rivals. But with that extra size, some of the bulky forwards struggle for lateral movement in defence and that was exploited by smart rival coaches last season.

2025 gains - Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Clint Gutherson (Eels), Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys), Nathan Lawson (Australian Rugby 7s), Emre Guler (Raiders).

2025 losses - Zac Lomax (Eels), Savelio Tamale (Raiders), Jack Bird (Wests Tigers), Max Feagai (Dolphins), Alec Tuitavake (Leigh Leopards), Ben Hunt (Broncos), Dan Russell (Warrington), Fa'amanu Brown (released), Jesse Marschke (North Sydney Bears).

'Delicate' reason behind star's surprise Raiders exit

Rugby league is a ruthless sport on and off the field - but Emre Guler's move from the Raiders to the Dragons showed that the game still has a heart. Canberra wanted to keep Guler - a tough forward who did a good job holding up the middle and was under contract for the coming season. But Wide World of Sports has learned that Guler was faced with a delicate family situation and wanted to move to a Sydney club on compassionate grounds. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart and chief executive Don Furner weighed up the situation - and decided to allow Guler to walk. The 27-year-old, who represented the Prime Minister's XIII in 2023, had been in secret negotiations with several Sydney clubs before finally coming to terms with the Red V. Guler has joined the club effective immediately, ending a seven-year career as a Raider. His signing is a massive boost after the club battled to hold onto former State of Origin enforcer Francis Molo, who is seeking a release from the joint venture. The big forward will be a handy gain for the Dragons alongside fellow signings Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook, Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias.

Cook vows to return despite being cut by Bunnies

Damien Cook has declared he'll be back at South Sydney, albeit in a different role as he prepares to end his playing career at the club. Cook will play with St George Illawarra next season after signing a two-year deal with the Dragons, despite having a year to run on his previous contract with the Rabbitohs. The former NSW Blues hooker vowed he will return to Maroubra one day. "You'll see me back here, no doubt," Cook told media ahead of last Bunnies game. "I'll be behind the whistle, flogging the boys from a different angle." After starting his career at the Dragons, and then playing at the Bulldogs, Cook eventually landed at South Sydney in 2016. He has since played 206 games for the club. Fittingly, Cook's final match will be against arch rivals the Roosters on Friday night. The hooker admitted he was "sad" when walking into training for the final week. "No doubt there'll be some emotions definitely at the end of the game," he said. "It was sad coming in on Monday knowing it was my last week coming into training." Prop Thomas Burgess will also leave the Bunnies after the Roosters team to take up a three-year deal with Huddersfield Giants. The 32-year-old also flagged his intention to return, stating he's renting out his Sydney house, not selling. "I'll be back in a couple of years after my time in England, I'm sure I'll be back in these doors," he said.

Dragons land dual blow as $1 million move secured

Damien Cook will return to where it all began next season, with the Rabbitohs hooker signing a two-year deal with St George Illawarra. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the 32-year-old will be granted an early release from his contract at Redfern at the end of 2024, bringing an end to a fruitful tenure at the club that will span over 200 games. Cook's deal at the Dragons is worth an estimated $1 million over two seasons after being granted permission by the cardinal and myrtle to seek an opportunity at a rival club. The experienced star told his teammates of his exit on Wednesday morning. The livewire made his debut for the Dragons in 2013 but didn't find his feet in the top grade until joining the Bunnies in 2016, where he became a NSW and Australian representative and cemented himself as one of the game's best hookers. Cook is expected to share the dummy-half duties with Jacob Liddle at the Saints, with the club's current No.9 signed for a further two seasons. As for the Rabbitohs, young gun Peter Mamouzelos is expected to get first crack at the hooker spot next year after impressing in his sporadic NRL appearances. Cook's impending arrival comes as the Dragons have landed another blow on the recruitment and retention front, re-signing utility Jack Bird for a further season. Currently sidelined with an ankle injury, the 29-year-old has triggered an option for next year prior to the June 30 deadline as opposed to becoming a free agent. Bird has been used in a variety of roles in recent years for the Saints and is a known favourite of Shane Flanagan, who previously coached him at Cronulla. The former NSW Origin star is in line for a return in round 17 against the Dolphins.

Rabbitohs hit back at 'absolute rubbish' Cook rumour

The South Sydney Rabbitohs have hit back at a claim Damien Cook is on the outer over an "absolute rubbish" rumour he's been leaking information. Cook has confirmed he's received a two-year offer from the Dragons, despite him being under contract at the Rabbitohs until the end of 2025. South Sydney would reportedly have to pay a portion of that deal next year if he went to the Dragons. "Obviously it's a bit new to me, this sort of stuff, and I don't want to leave," he told 9news last week. "But we'll just get through the game and speak to my manager next week." Rumours have since emerged around the circumstances of the Rabbitohs giving Cook permission to negotiate with rivals but the club has since put that to rest. "There's been rumours, which Souths have told me they're aware of today, that he may be being moved on because of leaks from the club," Nine reporter Danny Weidler said on 100% Footy. "They've said that is absolute rubbish ... I put to them today, they said that is incorrect, Damien will not be asked to move on early from the club, instead they want to honour him in the best possible way and give him the send off he deserves as a player." Weidler also addressed rumours record tryscorer Alex Johnston could be on the way out. However, Souths have quashed that too. "Alex Johnston is in Wayne Bennett's plans and he will be there next year," he said.

Second star dumped as Bunnies shake-up deepens

The shake-up at South Sydney will reportedly continue when Origin star Damien Cook is benched on Friday. The Sydney Morning Herald reports Cook will be benched in favour of Siliva Havili when the Bunnies take on arch enemy the Roosters in round three. It follows young halfback Lachlan Ilias being axed from the side on Tuesday. Head coach Jason Demetriou is feeling the heat after losing to the Sea Eagles and Broncos to start the 2024 season. The Redfern team has won only four of its past 15 games. The Rabbitohs led the NRL midway through last season before falling off a cliff and missing finals. Cook, 32, is the incumbent Blues hooker at State of Origin level and has been one of the best in the business for a number of years. But Havili is a big body and his promotion suggests Demetriou plans on bashing the Roosters into submission early in the contest, before letting Cook off the leash to use his speed later in the game. When speaking to media on Thursday, Demetriou bristled when probed about dropping Ilias in favour of Dean Hawkins. "I won't explain my reasoning," Demetriou said. "It's a discussion for Lachie and myself, and we've had that in depth and we'll continue to have those discussions. "Lachie knows it's a step sideways to go forwards again, and that's how we'll approach it. "He's fine. It's footy. You pick 17 blokes every week, so it's not that dramatic."

Damien Cook bags a hat trick

Damien Cook knows his Kangaroos number nine jumper is under siege.Harry Grant has started the season sensationally for the Storm - but Cook rose to the challenge in the Rabbitohs' Good Friday clash with the Bulldogs.Cook bagged the first hat trick of his career in Souths' 36-16 win, running from dummy-half with speed and great evasive skills.What's more - all three of his tries were under the posts - when was the last time anyone did that?It was as if he was saying to Grant 'The spot is mine - do your best if you want it'.The two hookers play a similar style of footy and their battle in the Origin arena in a few weeks should be enthralling.

Damien Cook in touching post-game gesture

FOR every atrocity that is committed by a rugby league player, there are hundreds of beautiful moments like this that largely go unreported. Michael Cini was a lifelong Rabbitohs fan who died last week and was laid to rest yesterday. Just hours after the funeral, his family attended the Rabbitohs - Roosters game… because they knew Michael would have wanted them to be there. After the Rabbitohs gave their arch rivals a footballing lesson, man of the match Damien Cook made a beeline for Michael's family in the grandstand, presenting his jersey to his widow Noela before giving her a long hug. One of the game's nice guys, Cook knew Michael well as he often attended Rabbitohs training sessions and chatted to the players after they had gone through their paces. Take a look at the video - it will bring a tear to your eye.