South Sydney will commence a new era with a familiar old face as Wayne Bennett prepares to return to Redfern for his second spell in charge.
The master coach has already made a number of big decisions as he attempts to rebuild his roster after the Rabbitohs plummeted to the bottom end of the ladder this season.
The Bunnies will be hoping to bounce back in 2025, yet they will do so without a few club favourites with Tom Burgess and Damien Cook departing.
The hooker, who inked a two-year deal with St George Illawarra after being granted an early release from his Souths contract, will farewell the club after almost a decade of service.
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Damien Cook bids emotional farewell to Rabbitohs
"I’ve moved around a few clubs but South Sydney is definitely home for me," Cook said while appearing in an emotional goodbye video on the club’s website.
"I’m just going away for a little bit."
Cook arrived at Redfern in 2016 after a debut season with the Dragons and two years with Canterbury.
At that point, the diminutive No.9 had made just nine NRL appearances in his career across a three-year period.
However, he immediately established himself as a premium dummy-half in the game as honours and induvial accolades soon followed, while the Bunnies made a habit of reaching preliminary finals.
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"It’s been a hell of a nine years - the biggest part of my career," Cook said as he choked back tears.
"This is where I started my family and got married. All the big milestones have been done here.
"To all my teammates, you are the reason I’ve been able to go on and play State of Origin and play for Australia. So, thank you very much to all of the boys and to the club.
"South Sydney will always be home to me. I’ve created some of the best memories of my career and of my life here."
