Five years ago Damien Cook was on his way out of St George Illawarra to pursue a career as a fullback at Canterbury.
On Saturday, the South Sydney star will run out against the Dragons as the NRL's best hooker and the man tipped to replace Cameron Smith for the Kangaroos next month.
A Helensburgh junior in the Illawarra region, Cook played his under-20s football for Penrith before returning home and sneaking into the Dragons' reserve grade side in 2012.
There, under Paul McGregor at the Illawarra Cutters, Cook sometimes started as a winger and fullback before shifting to dummy-half mid-game behind Cameron King while Mitch Rein started in first grade.
It was then Cook made the decision to switch to Canterbury as a fullback and utility, before then-Bulldogs coach Des Hasler put the then-22-year-old on course for State of Origin football.
"At the time there was an offer there (from the Dragons) but I saw more of an opportunity to go to the Bulldogs to play fullback or utility," Cook told AAP.
"The Dragons had two great hookers signed there and Mitch Rein and Cameron King were both playing great footy.
"And I got to Canterbury and Des said: 'I've seen you play as a fullback and you're going to be a hooker.'
"So that's how I went back to hooker. I've been all over the place and just trying to grab my opportunity when I can."
Cook's story from there is well known.
He was called upon by the Bulldogs in the 2015 finals series and picked up by Souths in 2016, before later beating out both Cameron McInnes and Robbie Farah for the Rabbitohs' No.9 jersey.
The darting dummy-half still holds a special place for the Dragons after having made his debut at the club, but he's saved his best for his performances against them and McInnes this year.
He made a season-high 133 metres against them in round five and broke through six tackles, and then cemented an Origin spot in round 10 with a try-assist from a linebreak in a head-to-head battle with McInnes.
Again, the duel between the two will prove crucial come Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.
"I always have a soft spot for the Dragons, it was where I got my first cap in my NRL career," Cook said.
"But I only played the two games in NRL, the rest was NSW Cup so it's not like it would be if I was playing against the Bulldogs.
"I know how hard (Cameron) works so it's no surprise that he's playing some really good footy and has been one of the Dragons' best.
"I always look forward to playing against the quality hookers in the game and Cameron is certainly one of them this year."
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