1. Damien Cook was born on 23 June 1991 and is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the StGeorge Illawarra Dragons in the NRL and Australia at international level.
33 Facts About Damien Cook
1. 2.
Damien Cook previously played for the StGeorge Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League, and at representative level for Country NSW and New South Wales in the State of Origin series.
3.
Damien Cook is the nephew of former rugby league player Peter Phillips.
4.
Damien Cook was a state champion in the NSW Surf Life Saving Championships throughout his youth.
5.
Damien Cook played his junior rugby league for the Helensburgh Tigers, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.
6.
In 2010 and 2011, Damien Cook played for the Penrith Panthers' NYC team.
7.
In round 6 of the 2013 NRL season, Damien Cook made his NRL debut for St George against the Wests Tigers.
8.
In round 14 of the 2014 NRL season, Damien Cook made his Canterbury debut against the Parramatta Eels.
9.
On 31 January and 1 February, Damien Cook played for Canterbury in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.
10.
On 27 September, Damien Cook was named on the interchange bench in the 2015 New South Wales Cup Team of the Year, for a second year.
11.
On 15 October, Damien Cook signed a 2-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs starting in 2016.
12.
Damien Cook played a total of 37 reserve grade games for Canterbury and scored two tries.
13.
On 1 February Damien Cook was named in South Sydney's 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad.
14.
Damien Cook went on to play a further 17 times for the 2016 NRL season.
15.
Damien Cook featured for Norths in The NSW Cup making two appearances.
16.
Damien Cook was named in South Sydney's squad for the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines.
17.
On 1 May 2017, Damien Cook was named in The NSW Country Origin representative team to play against The NSW City representative side in the last ever City vs Country game.
18.
Damien Cook started the 2018 NRL season as the first choice hooker for Souths over Robbie Farah.
19.
Damien Cook made his debut for NSW in state of origin and the Australian Kangaroos.
20.
On 28 May 2018, Damien Cook was selected to play for NSW against Queensland in the 2018 State of Origin series after a number of good performances at club level.
21.
Damien Cook played in all 3 games for New South Wales as they won their first origin series since 2014.
22.
Damien Cook capped a stellar season by earning selection in the Australian Kangaroos team as starting hooker for Test matches against New Zealand and Tonga.
23.
On 5 December Damien Cook signed a five-year deal worth $4.5 million to stay with Souths until the end of 2023.
24.
Damien Cook made a total of 26 appearances for Souths in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished third on the table and qualified for the finals.
25.
Damien Cook played in all three of the club's finals games as they reached the preliminary final against the Canberra Raiders.
26.
Damien Cook played 23 games for South Sydney in the 2020 NRL season.
27.
Damien Cook was again selected to play for New South Wales in the 2020 State of Origin series.
28.
Damien Cook played a total of 24 games for South Sydney in the 2021 NRL season including the club's grand final loss to Penrith.
29.
On 29 May, Damien Cook was selected by New South Wales to play in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series.
30.
Damien Cook played a total of 23 games throughout the year as South Sydney finished 9th on the table and missed the finals.
31.
On 19 June, Damien Cook signed a two-year deal to join St George Illawarra starting in 2025.
32.
Damien Cook played a total of 23 games for South Sydney in his final year at the club as they finished 16th on the table.
33.
On 13 January, Damien Cook was named co-captain of the Dragons alongside team mate Clinton Gutherson for the 2025 season.