The St George Illawarra Dragons can confirm that captain Damien Cook will depart the club at the end of the 2026 season.
A Helensburgh Tigers junior, Cook made a long-awaited homecoming to the Dragons in 2025 having made his NRL debut for the club back in Round 6, 2013.
He would spend the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Bulldogs before making the move to the Rabbitohs where he blossomed into one of the game’s elite No.9s over the course of nine seasons.
His State of Origin debut came in Game I, 2018 before earning a Kangaroos debut later that year against New Zealand.
Cook, who was the recipient of the club’s Immortals Trophy last year, is set to make his milestone 250th NRL appearance next weekend at Magic Round.
“Captaining the Dragons has been one of the proudest experiences of my career. As a kid from the area, it has meant a lot to me to start and end my NRL journey here,” Cook said.
“Captaining the Dragons has been one of the proudest experiences of my career. As a kid from the area, it has meant a lot to me to start and end my NRL journey here.”
Damien Cook
“My full focus right now is on doing everything I can for this team and this club over the remainder of 2026. I’ve loved my time at the Dragons, and I’m determined to finish it the right way.”
Dragons coach Dean Young praised not only Cook’s individual accolades, but his indelible mark on the mindset of generations to come.
“I think Cookie’s legacy will be that he refused to give up,” Young added.
“It took him until 25 years of age to find his place in the NRL and then to go on and play as many Origins, Tests, and NRL games as he did just shows every kid that, if you refuse to give up, you’re always a chance.
“It was great to get Cookie back in the Red V as a player that came from the area, and the Dragons are in a better place for having him walk back through the doors.”
Dragons CEO Tim Watsford echoed Young’s sentiments, praising the skipper’s professional approach to everything he does.
“Damien has been a valued member of this club since coming back prior to last season,” Watsford said.
“As a kid from Helensburgh who would go on to represent his state and country whilst captaining his club, Damien is an inspiration for so many young kids in our region. Few players in our game command the respect he does, and his leadership, attitude, and hard work have proven pivotal for our club.
“We wish Damien, his wife Courtney, and his three children the best of luck moving forward.”
