Rabbitohs hooker and fan favourite Damien Cook has been awarded the Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year award for the 2020 season.
2020 was a career-defining season for Cook especially upon season’s ‘Bubble’ resumption when the rules were changed in order to benefit dummy-half runners and attacking livewires.
While it took some time, Damien Cook flourished to the ‘set restart’ rules, especially in the big games as he registered plenty of metres out of dummy half as well as a couple of long-range tries.
Cook played 22 games, forced nine drop-outs, assisted eight tries, ran for 97 metresper game and put teammates through for seven linebreaks over the season. His biggest moment would have to be that blistering try against Parramatta in the must-win Semi Final which sealed their spot in the Preliminary Final.
Cook, in broken play, burnt a couple of slow-retreating forwards, then the outside backs before doing King Gutho with a brilliant right-foot step.
While it has been difficult during the conditions of the Bubble, away from the field you would usually see Cook out at various Members events, at hospital visits or giving back to those who are doing it a bit tough, just to try and put a smile on their faces.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs would like to congratulate Damien on his award.
Previous Winners:
2002 - Jason Death
2003 – Jason Death
2004 – Ashley Harrison
2005 – Luke Stuart
2006 – Peter Cusack
2007 – Luke Stuart
2008 – Beau Champion
2009 – Scott Geddes
2010 – Sam Burgess
2011 – Michael Crocker
2012 – Sam Burgess and Michael Crocker
2013 – Matt King
2014 – Sam Burgess
2015 – Ben Lowe
2016 – Jason Clark
2017 – Damien Cook
2018 - John Sutton
2019 - Braidon Burns
