After five NRL seasons with three different clubs, Damien Cook appears on the cusp of establishing himself as a regular starting hooker and this weekend’s Charity Shield at Mudgee looks to be his final audition to cement his spot in South Sydney’s round one side.
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In front of new coach Anthony Seibold, the South Sydney dummy-half went along way to winning the battle for the No.9 jersey over veteran teammate Robbie Farah in Saturday's 18-8 trial win over Wigan and has been named to start in Saturday night’s clash with St George Illawarra at Glen Willow Sporting Complex.
Seibold has a decision to make over whether to start Cook or Farah in their season opener against the Warriors next month and, more importantly, whether to carry one of them on his bench.
Dropping either to reserve grade would be a big decision - two years ago Farah asked for an exit from the Wests Tigers after he was cut from first-grade.
Seibold said his natural preference was to carry four forwards on the bench however he noted that carried risks.
"I haven't worked it out yet," Seibold said.
"I said previously that if you're doing well you probably want a hooker playing for 80 minutes.
"But the thing is we don't have anyone else in the group that can play nine. If it was Robbie or Cookie who played nine and got a HIA or got injured, where do we go from there?"
Against Wigan, Cook looked dynamic out of dummy-half and was a difference maker for a Souths side missing the likes of Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds, Sam Burgess and Angus Crichton.
He finished the year as the Rabbitohs' preferred starting rake however the slate has been wiped clean under Seibold.
Throughout stints at St George Illawarra, Canterbury and Souths, Cook has never been able to establish himself as a regular starting player.
Of his 49 career games, 25 have been off the bench and he has never had a run of more than fives games in a row as a starting hooker.
"I probably have to thank all those quality hookers who I've been up against," Cook said.
"Mitch Rein and Cameron King at the Dragons, Mick Ennis and [Michael] Lichaa at the Bulldogs, Cameron McInnes and Robbie Farah.
"They're all good, quality hookers and they pushed me along and made sure I keep working hard."
Cook said he didn't feel like the No.9 jersey was his but was hungry to stake a claim.
"I want to get to a position where I'm trusted by the team and trusted by the coach and that is my position," Cook said.
"And hopefully I get to a time when he goes to write the team sheet, I'm one of the ones he puts down straight away.
Saturday’s Charity Shield kicks off at 7.30pm, following the curtain-raiser at 5.30pm.
