Bulldogs stand-in hooker Damien Cook's impressive season debut last week was no surprise given the 24-year-old's diligent approach off the field, according to teammates who have given him the nickname 'Mr Professional'.
Both winger Sam Perrett and fullback Brett Morris – who has known Cook for several years after also playing alongside him at the Dragons previously – lauded the efforts of Cook in replacing the injured Michael Lichaa last week and said the team was in good hands with him at No.9 for the rest of the year.
While Lichaa's season-ending ankle injury is a blow to the club, Cook's efforts last week in scoring a try and setting up another with an amazing chase and bat-back from over the dead ball line proved the Bulldogs are far from a spent force in 2015.
"He's a fantastic player. He's always been someone that all the boys have relied upon," Perrett said of Cook.
"You could see it at training, through the NSW Cup games, he's a bit of a rock for the team. To see the flair that came out and what he did and how he stood up is amazing."
