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Damien Cook move backfires on Jason Demetriou as South Sydney NRL fans left fuming

The Rabbitohs coach is in a desperate fight to save his job.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read

South Sydney fans are fuming over Jason Demetriou's decision to drop State of Origin hooker Damien Cook, with many predicting it will be the final nail in the coach's coffin. Reports have emerged that Demetriou will be sacked regardless of whether the Rabbitohs beat the Sharks this weekend, with Souths winning just five of their last 20 games.

The Rabbits have made a shocking start to the 2024 NRL season, winning just one of their first five games. And Demetriou has clearly seen enough of his under-performing hooker Cook, naming him in the reserves for Saturday night's clash with Cronulla.

Jason Demetriou, pictured here alongside Damien Cook.
Jason Demetriou has dropped Damien Cook for South Sydney's clash with Cronulla. Image: Getty

Cook has struggled to capture his top form so far in 2024, but he's been playing behind a well-beaten forward pack. “Cookie, like the true professional he is, will take it on the chin and do whatever it is that he needs to do,” teammate Saliva Havili said on Tuesday.

“We’re pretty excited for Pete (Mamouzelos, who replaces Cook), He's a confident young kid in his craft as a hooker and I like the way he plays the game from nine. He plays what he sees. He’s a different type of hooker compared to Cookie, speed wise, but he's still got speed.

"He’s pretty crafty, too. “He's won Flegg, he’s won Under 20s and NSW Cup, so he’s made the right moves heading into the direction of an NRL player. It’s an exciting opportunity for him now.”

NRL world heavily divided over Damien Cook's axing

Discussing the situation on NRL 360 on Tuesday night, leading journalist Paul Kent said Demetriou's decision to axe Cook is a line in the sand moment. “They need a circuit breaker there at the club, there’s no doubt about that,” Kent said.

“The fact that Latrell Mitchell’s not playing this week, that provided Jason Demetriou with the opportunity (to make major changes). (Dropping) Cook is a bit of a surprise. But again, they needed something to shake it up a little bit. I think good on the coach for trying to crack a few eggs to make the omelette.”

Damien Cook, pictured here during the Rabbitohs' clash with the Warriors.
Damien Cook looks on during the Rabbitohs' clash with the Warriors.

Brent Read pointed out that Cook's defence was sub-par against the Warriors last weekend. “I’m surprised, but when you look back at the game on the weekend… that period before and after half-time, that’s when they lost that footy game,” Read said.

“Damien Cook missed a big tackle in that moment, a couple of other guys - Sean Keppie and Tallis Duncan, they’re gone this week as well – they were on that field during that period. If you look at it from that standpoint, I can understand why he’s made the change.

“If you look at Cookie’s stats this year, he hasn’t been that potent with the ball either. I think he’s got one try assist and one try break this year. The other factor is Mamouzelos. He’s been knocking on the door for a long time now. He’s been playing well in NSW Cup, played well when he came on the weekend. He has to make a change. They need a circuit breaker.”

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Fellow journalist Dean Ritchie added: “It strikes me as Demetriou saying: ‘You know what, I’ve had enough. If I have to offend somebody now, I’ll do it. I’m sick of playing Mr Nice Guy. I’m sick of mollycoddling this mob. If I’ve got to get rid of a big name, (they’re) out.’”

But the move hasn't gone down well with Souths fans, with many of the opinion that other players should have suffered the axe before Cook. The likes of Taane Milne, Cody Walker, Tom Burgess and Jacob Host have all come under fire in the wake of Cook's axing on Tuesday afternoon.