I assume that you are aware that CHN, Sue and Tolman are gone, that means we need to replace 3 forwards and we have only signed 1, Waddell.
That we have to have 30 players registered with the NRL and that we have to spend 95% of the Salary Cap. We can't just grab a 1/2 and 5/8 and say we are done.
In regards to Cook, it's worth keeping in mind that StGeorge also let him go, he didn't get a 1st grade game until he was 22, he was recruited by the Wabbits in 2016 as a back to the back up, didn't get a run until Round 22 when McInnes got injured, when Cook was 25 ie; a prime example of a late bloomer who had to learn his complex craft (being a hooker is not easy) before he even got game time. I would add that although he was always fast he did not have much endurance and would fatigue. He needed to learn how to manage his lactate curve and oxygen intake over 80 minutes, especially so now the way hookers have to play the game.
Go Dogs
Yes I am aware, that we lost 3 forwards , and replaced one but we still have quite a few forwards ie - Stimson, Napa, Chris Smith, Elliot, RFM, Thompson, Ogden, Wadell ,Britt, Doorey, Roumanos, Jackson, Renough Atoni, Sione Katoa,and surely there must be more in the lower grades. now I assume that you aware that we also lost Cogger and Foren , and we still don't have any capable play makers and a decent spine, I feel with the money we have freed up from discarding players and what we have in the war chest we should build up our attack so this time next year we won't be facing the dreaded spoon again.
Now, ST George let Cook go because they had Mcinnes, We let Cook go because we had Lichaa and I think at the time we let Cook go he had already learned how to manage his curve & oxygen intake over 80 minutes so I really don't see the comparison you are making with both points.