South Sydney hooker Damien Cook expects the Rabbitohs to keep on improving in 2022 despite losing some influential figures since the end of last season.
Souths are priced at 15/2 to win the 2022 NRL grand final and make up for last season's loss to the Penrith Panthers, but will have to do it without some big names.
High-profile departures
Since the heartbreaking 14-12 loss to the Panthers there has been plenty of change with coach Wayne Bennett stepping aside while star halfback and captain Adam Reynolds has joined the Brisbane Broncos.
Bennett's long-term assistant Jason Demetriou is now coach in his own right while Cameron Murray has been named as the Bunnies new captain.
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It remains to be seen how Souths will shape up in the new season but Cook is not concerned and believes the culture is so strong within the club they will take in their stride.
Cook confident
Cook says big names have left in the past and South Sydney have managed to cope.
"We have lost a lot of big names and a lot of experience during the past few years, but we have managed to keep improving each season," Cook told NRL.com.
"It is up to the senior playing group to set a certain standard and that is what we have done over the last few years. Obviously, we have had some great captains in the past and they have taught us so it is up to us to continue that.
"I think it is a great sign of a good club that we don’t need to change much; we just need to do things better."
