Motivated to fight on
COWBOYS skipper Gavin Cooper has embraced tomorrow’s do- or- die final against Cronulla being billed as a “grudge match” with the club admitting there “will be some feeling there” given their recent finals history.
For the third straight year, the two clubs will meet in a knockout final. The Cowboys eliminated the Sharks in 2015 en route to their maiden premiership, while Cronulla returned serve in last year’s preliminary finals.
It means little love will be lost at Allianz Stadium and that suits Cooper just fine.
“It’s exciting. It’s been built up as a bit of a grudge match which I’m not too unhappy about,” Cooper said.
“It’s a bit of unfamiliar territory for both of us finishing lower on the ladder, but it’s do or die and here we come.
“Earlier in the week when people were talking about it ( as a grudge match) I was saying no, but now it’s closer to the game I do like that style of footy. Hopefully it brings out the best in both teams.”
Cowboys assistant coach Todd Payten has little doubt some players will use last year’s finals exit as motivation for revenge.
“There’s a bit of feeling there, it’s winner takes all this game,” Payten said. “We haven’t spoken about it but I’m sure it sticks in the back of their heads, the way we got beat last year.
“Hopefully they can use it as motivation if they like. I’d love nothing more than to knock them out personally.”
Payten said the players felt like they had been given a second chance after they had to rely on Manly beating Penrith and Canterbury upsetting St George Illawarra last weekend to squeeze into eighth spot.
“We watched both games together as a coaching staff and the players splintered off in little groups,” Payten said.
“It was an emotional roller coaster for the players so we’ve been mindful of that.
“I’ve never cheered for the Bulldogs so hard in my life. It was pretty rowdy, the house we were at.”
The Cowboys have lost five of their past six games and Cooper believes the lack of external expectation will help the youngsters yet to taste September embrace the spotlight.
“The experience these young guys have had and hopefully will have in the finals, you can’t put a price on it,” Cooper said. “People have written us off, they have done the last little while and they will continue to do so, even after we beat the Sharks.
“Everyone keeps telling us how brave we are and how proud we should be for getting here, but that’s not how we see it.”