Damien Cook

[Maxy Walker]

I thought Teddy was just continuing his club form last night which has been building really well. Fittler should really be thanking Robbo. We pretty much have seen what works for Teddy and what doesn't in half a season. Sweeping plays (start of the season) are really not his go where as tight play in and around the ruck are (what we are seeing now).
Cook was great last night with the help of his forward pack, low penalty count and high completion rate so congratulations to him, not to take anything away from him but as someone else pointed out these are not luxuries that roosters ever have lol.
Watching the last few games from us Jake and Teddy have started to combine well with the Titans game a great example - Jake's kick to Teddy for his try and then Jake putting Teddy away for Aubo's try so the consistent bashing of Jake seems a little tired/ preconceived as he has been improving along with the team each game.

As for Jake's fitness it makes me laugh when people call him fat and lazy just because he is not sprinting out of dummy half all the time. The defensive line is where he does his work and not just the tackles that he makes but the roaming that he does behind the line it is quiet remarkable where he pops up. I started to realise this when Robbo went on his rant the other week in one of the pre game presser about how Jake covers for other players. Take the fergo tackle from last week at the death - Jake is the man on the inside pressuring Lawernce to pass to the winger. Anyone could say that he should be there regardless but if you look from where he comes from to get to that spot you start to realise what Robbo was saying to add to that once Fergo makes the tackle and Mahe passes the ball back in field Jake jumps up and gets to the ball. He puts himself in those spots constantly just in case where as alot of players will just watch things happen.

Sorry for the long post

Best post I’ve seen here for a while!

Post more often please.

[Johnny Brass]

I thought Teddy was just continuing his club form last night which has been building really well. Fittler should really be thanking Robbo. We pretty much have seen what works for Teddy and what doesn't in half a season. Sweeping plays (start of the season) are really not his go where as tight play in and around the ruck are (what we are seeing now).
Cook was great last night with the help of his forward pack, low penalty count and high completion rate so congratulations to him, not to take anything away from him but as someone else pointed out these are not luxuries that roosters ever have lol.
Watching the last few games from us Jake and Teddy have started to combine well with the Titans game a great example - Jake's kick to Teddy for his try and then Jake putting Teddy away for Aubo's try so the consistent bashing of Jake seems a little tired/ preconceived as he has been improving along with the team each game.

As for Jake's fitness it makes me laugh when people call him fat and lazy just because he is not sprinting out of dummy half all the time. The defensive line is where he does his work and not just the tackles that he makes but the roaming that he does behind the line it is quiet remarkable where he pops up. I started to realise this when Robbo went on his rant the other week in one of the pre game presser about how Jake covers for other players. Take the fergo tackle from last week at the death - Jake is the man on the inside pressuring Lawernce to pass to the winger. Anyone could say that he should be there regardless but if you look from where he comes from to get to that spot you start to realise what Robbo was saying to add to that once Fergo makes the tackle and Mahe passes the ball back in field Jake jumps up and gets to the ball. He puts himself in those spots constantly just in case where as alot of players will just watch things happen.

Sorry for the long post

They all scrambled on that last play, after Thompson threw the ball from the right wing cronk raced up and hit Reynolds and Manu went with him and put pressure on the tigers. Liu was slow coming up otherwise he could have shut that play down. Friend floundered across the field and tripped over his own feet before Fergo crunched fanou into touch.
Yes Friend does a lot of defence but a lot of it isn't effective and his attack is detrimental to our team. Robbo has to bite the bullet and come up with a solution because Friend isn't cutting it in the modern game.

[Maxy Walker]

Don’t let em get to ya Busted Chook! Stick to your guns.

[Johnny73]

Lucky for Cook. He will be on some huge coin pretty soon if he can keep doing it.

When you're good at something, don't do it for free.

[busted chook]

You are spot on mate. The whole team was scrambling really well which at times this year has been our saving grace and as a fan is great to see especially in the 80th min.

I'm glad you mentioned cronk and Manu cause when they rush in you can see jake in the background of the shot and how much ground he has to flounder across to stay in the play to force the pass from Lawrence.

We do differ on opinion from there as to me it looks as if jake trips on lawerences legs not his own feet.

i wouldn't say that his tackles are ineffective either, granted he doesn't hit hard but generally sticks and most of the time either by himself or with the help of the other players has enough strength/ technique to slow the play the ball down which whilst not flashy seems important for the defensive line.

The other point of difference is that I dont think that he isn't destroying our attack as much as people seem to think. Dont get me wrong his form at the start of the season wasn't great but he has improved each week finding his feet with a new 7 and 1 and maybe a little more freedom from the coach.

[ROC181]

I always thought Cook was good at the Dogs and was surprised he couldn't keep his spot.

[Johnny Brass]

Fair enough busted we will agree to disagree but it would be a boring world if we all held the same views . One thing I'll agree with you on Jake is that his commitment and desire can never be questioned.

[Juggler]

Friend is starting to run more. Last 2 games have been 3 runs for 31m. Broncs game 3 runs for 20m.

[busted chook]

Fair call johhny, I was thinking the same thing as I was typing out my response. Your right about opinions mate and that why I love reading the thoughts on here.

You are also dead right in regards to Jakes commitment and effort and I am more then happy to agree with you on that, he looks like he dead set gives it his all each week.

[ism22]

Anybody else notice that he is a Souffs player, not a Rooster? Just saying.

[rented tracksuit]

Some of you fellas crack me up. If we had a faster number 9 you’d just find something else to complain about.

We have a winner!

Close this thread now.

[Guest]

Should be Cameron Smith's replacement in the No. 9.

I was thinking that too. Actually he has become the obvious choice. Really great player.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Some of you fellas crack me up. If we had a faster number 9 you’d just find something else to complain about.

yeah.. like the price of Grand Final tickets.

[Mickie Lane]

The skill & playing ability of Cook has been on show now for about 4 years when ever he has been given a crack. The Dragons wouldnt give him a go, Des preferred Licha over him & then Madge went with Farah. He has actually been wasted over the last 4 years because his coaches havnt had enough faith in him.He would be lucky to be on $250K I reckon, Farah would be on at least double what Cooks on.