Cook Says Easts Have Recipe To Reclaim The Crown
Newcastle Herald
Thursday May 20, 1999
HE'S one of those players that seems to be just about unbreakable.
Eastern Districts hooker David Cook isn't a big front-rower by any means.
But what he lacks in sheer size he makes up for in skill and heart.
Countless times the 36-year-old will disappear under a flurry of huge props and loose forwards, but you can be certain Cook will pop back up, ready to go again.
This weekend he will pass another milestone when he runs on against Merewether-Carlton in his 200th first-grade appearance for the club.
Cook defected from The Waratahs in 1983 and has been with Easts ever since, apart from stints with the Newcastle Wildfires in 1995 and 1997.
In all his time at Easts, he has played just one game in reserves. He was there when Easts shared the premiership with Hamilton in 1990 and when they won it outright in 1987.
Cook is certain Easts have the talent to win the premiership this season, and he has no doubts about who they will have to defeat to claim it.
`Maitland,' Cook predicted without hesitation.
`They're just non-stop. They come at you all day.'
The veteran forward has warned that his team needs to pick up their act to capitalise on the talent they have.
He doubts their undefeated streak will last the season.
`I don't think we're playing well enough,' he said.
`Our discipline is lacking quite a bit, and we're just too fragmented.'
A third premiership would ideal for Cook to end his playing career.
In other games on Saturday, Hamilton host Wanderers, University are at home to Singleton and The Waratahs face Maitland in the match of the round.
© 1999 Newcastle Herald
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