St George Illawarra have confirmed that veteran hooker and co-captain Damien Cook will leave the club after the 2026 NRL season, effectively ending his NRL career. The 34-year-old joined the Dragons on a two-year contract in 2025 after 207 games with South Sydney, but the club announced on Friday that he would not be renewed as part of a reconfiguration for the post-Shane Flanagan era.
Cook, who turns 35 next month, expressed his commitment to finishing the season strongly. 'My full focus right now is on doing everything I can for this team and this club over the remainder of 2026,' he said in a statement. 'I've loved my time at the Dragons, and I'm determined to finish it the right way.'
The former NSW State of Origin representative has been linked with a move to English Super League side Castleford, who already have former NRL players Blake Taaffe, Mikaele Ravalawa and Joe Stimson on their roster. Cook's departure is expected to clear the way for Jacob Liddle to start at hooker next season.
Cook has provided solid leadership for the Dragons but has not recaptured the form that made him the most dangerous ball-running hooker in the league during his prime at South Sydney. He amassed 17 State of Origin appearances for NSW and won Dally M Hooker of the Year in 2018. He is set to play his 250th NRL game against Penrith at Magic Round.
The announcement comes a day before the winless Dragons' Round 10 clash with Newcastle in Wollongong. The Knights are favourites to extend the Dragons' losing streak to 13 games, but interim coach Dean Young's side have had two weeks to prepare following a bye. Knights coach Justin Holbrook warned, 'They'll be feeling really good about themselves and it's up to us to nullify that.'
Knights co-captain Kalyn Ponga will play his 150th NRL game, almost 10 years after his debut for North Queensland. Holbrook praised the recently re-signed fullback, saying, 'He's shown that in three games this year, which is great. Great achievement obviously and in just nine more games' time it'll be 150 for the Knights and that's even better.'
