Damien Cook has made the bold admission that South Sydney were too predictable last year and their one-dimensional game plan resulted in their exit from the NRL finals.
The Rabbitohs will have revenge on their mind when they open their 2019 campaign against the Sydney Roosters next Friday night.
After being knocked out one game short of the grand final by their arch rivals in 2018, it will add extra spice to what already shapes as a blockbuster clash at the SCG.
It’s no secret that the Rabbitohs relied on their prolific left side of Cody Walker, John Sutton, Greg Inglis and Robert Jennings last year.
Souths scored 48 of their 104 tries through the left flank in 2018 – compared with 27 down the right.
And Cook said that the Roosters saw the Rabbitohs coming in the 12-4 preliminary final defeat and picked them apart.
“We had a really strong left side in attack last year,” Cook told AAP.
“We weren’t playing our best against the Roosters, it was a close score but they were dominant the whole game, they knew what we were doing.
“We went back to what we thought worked for us and probably didn’t have that plan B.
“We’ve built some confidence in that over the pre-season, having those other options when we need them and better game planning, just so we aren’t as predictable as what we were in those semi-finals.”
Cook said Wayne Bennett, after trading places with Anthony Seibold, had instilled variety in their attack.
“The Roosters just picked us off, they knew exactly what we were doing in yardage and they were able to stop us,” Cook said.
“It’s just about having a few extra tricks up our sleeve and a couple of different options other than a standard game plan.”
Cook has also added a string to his bow this year and is expected to take on a bigger share of general kicking duties.
The NSW and Australian No.9 showed off his powerful left boot with a booming 40-20 in last weekend’s trial against St George Illawarra and will take pressure off primary kickers Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker.
“It’s one part of my game I’ve been trying to bring in and grow some confidence in,” Cook said.
“I need to make sure it’s pretty consistent before I can really take the pressure off Reyno. I’m just trying to take some pressure off the halves.
I’ll jump out (of dummy-half) and I have to pick the right time to kick as well. Someone like Cameron Smith is very good at it.”