Cook maintains Walker round one banter above board

South Sydney hooker Damien Cook maintains Cody Walker did not cross the line in a sledging war six months ago ahead of the return bout against bitter rivals Sydney Roosters in Thursday night's clash at ANZ Stadium.

Walker was labelled "disrespectful" by Roosters playmaker Luke Keary after the Rabbitohs five-eighth and Cooper Cronk clashed before fulltime to open the season.

Reports later suggested Walker labelled former teammate Angus Crichton a "traitor" following his decision to depart the club for Bondi in 2019.

Keary indicated Walker would get what was coming for him post-game but refused to shed light on what was supposedly said in the fiery SCG clash back in March, won by the Rabbitohs 26-16.

Cook was a passenger to the incident but declared Walker had not been disrespectful ahead of another chapter to the book of feuds on Thursday. 

"I think whatever happened there was blown out of proportion," Cook said on Monday.  

"That's what [people are saying] was said but we've asked him and he said he didn't say it. 

"I can't understand Cody a lot of the time. He blows up at me on the field, him and Reyno, to try and give them even ball.

"But it's a good rivalry and always adds to things. We had the coaches a couple of weeks ago in Brisbane and this will be part of the story.

"Teams have changed the way they play so it will be a different game to round one."

Cook identified Keary and James Tedesco as the two biggest drivers in the Roosters outfit.

As for Crichton, who is returning to the sort of form Bunnies fans were used to last season, Cook believes the Tricolours have finally worked out how to use the former NSW forward.

"The way we used him and how they use him is probably different," Cook said.

"I think at the start he had to learn his role and has earned the respect of his players. He's a great ball-runner and the Roosters are starting to realise what a great signing it was.

"I think it's more the transition playing for a different team. He's adapted to those combinations."

Cook is beginning to find his form leading into the 2019 Telstra Premiership finals series after conceding a dip after the Origin series. 

After creating 16 tries in his opening 16 game for the Bunnies, the NSW hooker has only returned with one assist in his past six appearances. 

"There were some ups and downs, when you're not playing your best footy it gets frustrating," Cook said.

"I think when you're losing a couple of close games we knew we didn't play well. We know if play our style of footy we'll win most games."

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