Cooper a popular skipper

GAVIN Cooper may describe himself as the “Steven Bradbury” of North Queensland captains, but that’s certainly not the way his teammates see it.

The Maroons workhorse took on the role as skipper for the Cowboys this season after both of the clubs captains in Johnathan Thurston ( shoulder) and Matt Scott ( knee) were sidelined.

For Cooper, each day is just another normal day, regardless of whether he has that role or not.

But for his teammates, what he does through his words and actions has been a key part of their inspirational finals run.

To the rest of the Cowboys, Cooper is an unsung hero of their march towards October.

“The boys get a lift out of seeing him do what he does,” fellow backrower Ethan Lowe said.

“Everything he does, he gives it 100 per cent. Every week he’s going to turn up and do his job. That’s one of the things that has really helped.

“He might not have been the captain before, but he has definitely been a leader in this team. The boys get a kick out of him leading us.”

A number of players have had to step up this year and become leaders but hooker Jake Granville said Cooper was the one who knew exactly what to say to get everyone on the same page.

“If we have a break in play, he knows exactly what to say in those breaks,” Granville said.

“Everyone listens to him and he’s been a very good captain for us.”