Have the Dragons made a mistake by signing Damien Cook?

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis has significant doubts over St George Illawarra’s signing of veteran hooker Damien Cook.

Cook has agreed to depart the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the end of the 2024 season and join the Dragons from 2025 and a two-year deal reportedly worth $500,000 per season.

Carayannis believes this is a departure from the recruitment tactics that new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has instilled since taking over the top job.

“I’m not overly critical of the signing but I’m not excited by it,” Carayannis told SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“You are getting a 32-year-old hooker to partner with your 34-year-old halfback for the next two seasons.

“Wayne Bennett is coming to South Sydney to win a Premiership. He’s not building for the future.

“Naturally, I have concerns if Wayne is letting his most experienced players go.

“He obviously believes that Cook can’t win him a competition.

“Cook brings a lot of things off the field including leadership because outside of Ben Hunt, there is a real void of leadership.

“It’s a good signing but from a footy point of view, I’m not overly excited.

“There’s not a lot of genuine or really good dummy halves out there but (the acquisition of Cook) it blocks the potential of signing someone who could be your long-term hooker.”

Damien Cook was dropped to the NSW Cup in Round 6 but was recalled the following week to the first grade side.

The 32-year-old has been named for South Sydney to take on Manly on Saturday at Accor Stadium.