Cook eager to keep his 2018 on the boil
RUGBY UNION: Jack Cook could not have dreamed 12 months ago as he sat on the sideline watching his beloved Emus get rolled by Dalby in the Risdon Cup grand final what a turn around in fortunes awaited him in 2018.
A serious knee injury while playing last season for Queensland Country ruled Cook out of rugby for 11 months, robbing him of the chance to help his team-mates wrest the premiership trophy away from Dalby last September.
But a return to the playing paddock in May soon brought its rewards.
Despite missing the early part of the 2018 rep year, Cook was snapped up by Queensland Country selectors for the Heelers’ undefeated season run with his good return form also earning him a prized callup.
Cook and Goondiwindi team-mate Will Gilbert were chosen following their successful Heelers’ stint as development players to train with the NRC Queensland Country squad.
The hard-working frontrower’s comeback is complete — almost.
Arguably the most satisfying moment might still await him when the 2018 undefeated Emus look to avenge their last two grand-final losses to the Wheatmen.
“It was a tough 11 months getting over the knee surgery but it was good to get back a bit earlier than I thought and everything has gone well since,” Cook said yesterday.
“I played my first game back against Dalby in May and I was lucky enough then that the Heelers were looking for a prop and I got called in.
“It took a little while for me to get my fitness and feel back to where I wanted it, but the Heelers had an undefeated year including two wins in New Zealand which was great to be a part of.
“Getting picked as a development player for the NRC Country side with Will has been an unreal experience.
“We went down to their first training run and we’ll just wait to see what happens from here.”
Cook said Goondiwindi had ticked every season box as it looked to complete a perfect year against Dalby tomorrow and he was confident the club’s hunger would carry the final day.
“We have a real fire in the belly to go all the way and Luke Fritz and the coaching staff have done an unbelievable job keeping us focussed all season,” Cook said.
“Our fitness has been a real strength this year. We let Dalby back into the game in our semi two weeks’ ago and they’ll be bloody tough to hold out again.
“Finals’ footy is a completely different kettle of fish to the rest of the season.
“But it’s great us having two teams in grand finals and there is a real buzz around the town this week.”