'He can get us out': Cook's plea for Bennett return

Rabbitohs veteran Damien Cook has weighed in on former coach Wayne Bennett’s rumoured move back to South Sydney.

Bennett coached the Rabbitohs from 2019 to 2021, leading the side to two preliminary finals and the 2021 grand final, where the club fell just short against the Penrith Panthers as they began their three-peat dynasty.

The 74-year-old will leave the Dolphins at the end of the season, handing over the reins to assistant coach Kristian Woolf, with the seven time premiership-winning coach confirming he is interested in taking up an opportunity with his former club.

According to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald, South Sydney has tabled Bennett a three-year deal, which would likely see him finish his head coaching career at the NRL foundation club.

Speaking to reporters at North Sydney Oval on Thursday, Cook reflected on his experience playing under the seven-time premiership-winning coach, revealing that Bennett is one of the league’s most influential coaches that many players wish to play under.

“I think someone like Wayne, there are certain players in the game that you want to have that presence and you want to play alongside, and I think Wayne is one of those coaches you want to play for as well,” Cook said.

“I don’t know what [Bennett] does, probably only he knows, but everywhere he goes is a success.

“If he comes back, then he will… but at the moment with Ben Hornby, we’ve got a lot of respect and a lot of trust for him.

“He can get us out of where we are at the moment.”

The 32-year-old struggled to explain the influence and experience of what it’s like to work under Bennett, however, noted that his legacy be as “one of the greatest coaches in the game.”

“It’s really hard to put into words what he does,” he said.

“For me personally when he was here I had a very special connection with him. There is a care factor there that is both on and off the field, not to say other coaches don’t have that.

“Sometimes he pulled me into one-on-one sessions. I probably got the most value out of those things. He just went through my game and different things and pointed out what he liked and what he didn’t like. He is very clear-minded with what [he wanted] you to do.

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“I think his care factor off the field is the reason why a lot of players have a lot of respect for him… That’s why people say he is one of the greatest coaches in our game.

“So I will definitely remember all those little things and conversations I had with him. I’ll try and get a good handshake out of him. It’s a very special thing to be around.

“For now, we’re going to keep fighting hard until the end of the year.”

The Rabbitohs have remained at the top of the headlines since their gloomy start to the 2024 season, with coach Jason Demetriou axed ahead of the club’s clash against Penrith.

“There has been a lot of noise for a while now but the boys have been really good together,” said Cook.

“As a senior player, that’s what I’ve been most proud about… how well we’ve stuck together and how much we’re still enjoying going in there every day.

“We’re working hard. We’re doing everything possible to make sure we can improve this season.”

Latrell Mitchell makes a linebreak against the Broncos in their round two clash in 2024.

Despite the noise, star fullback Latrell Mitchell will run out with the Rabbitohs on Saturday in his return game after a suspension rubbed him out for three matches. The Origin star’s presence on the field will likely lift the spirits of the Rabbitohs, as they take on the Dragons without skipper Cameron Murray.

“You’ve got players across all teams, like Tommy Turbo [Trbojevic], [James] Tedesco… he’s our one,” Cook said of Mitchell’s return.

“Having him come back this week to fill the roster is first and foremost but to have someone like him comeback – his presence and the player he is puts a lot of confidence back right across the group to go out there and get the job done.

“I don’t think I’m the alpha male. I just want to do the best I can.”

* Damien Cook spoke on Thursday as part of a promotion for the Beer Footy Food Festival to be held at North Sydney Oval next weekend (May 18-19). The Festival features six NSW Cup games, with the Rabbitohs facing the Bears for the Mario Fenech Cup in the feature match. Tickets are now available at beerfootyfood.com