St George Illawarra are already planning for life after Damien Cook with the club set to sign Bulldogs young gun Mason Phillips.
It is understood the Dragons have made a play to land the young hooker on a long-term deal.
It comes after the Dragons signed veteran Cook on a two-year contract from next season.
Phillips was signed from the Bulldogs from Queensland and has been part of their Harold Matthews set-up in the past two years. He started at hooker in their semi-final loss to the Warriors earlier this year.
The Dragons have been desperately searching to stockpile their hooking stocks and have taken a sensible approach by landing a veteran rake with one of the game’s best young prospects.
Cook, who turned 33 last Sunday, is a stopgap solution for the Dragons but his experience will prove to be vital as he works alongside Phillips and assists his path into the top grade.
Cook and incumbent Jacob Liddle will share the hooking duties next season. Liddle still has 12 month left on his deal with a mutual option for 2026.
