GAVIN WON’T BE FLYING COOP
COWBOYS veteran Gavin Cooper is determined to run on to the new North Queensland Stadium in a pair of football boots next season.
On the eve of the Cowboys’ final game at 1300SMILES Stadium against the Bulldogs, Cooper made his intention of playing on with the club clear.
The backrower, who celebrated a career milestone of 300 NRL games in a win over the Roosters earlier this year, is understood to be in negotiations with Cowboys management over a contract for 2020.
His current deal expires at the end of this season, and while he has had interest from other clubs, he was quick to shut it down.
“I think it is (close to being worked out), we are just trying to nut some things out and will make a call in the not too distant future,” he said.
“I have (had word from other clubs) but I knocked that on the head pretty quickly. It was either we will do something here or we won’t do anything at all.”
Cooper started his career in the Cowboys NQ Young Guns Queensland Cup side, winning a premiership with them in 2005, before getting a debut in the NRL with the club at 1300SMILES Stadium the following year.
While he agreed it would be fitting to end his career where it started at the stadium, the 34-year-old said there was no intention to do it. “I guess it would be but I don’t plan on hanging them up,” he said.
“I know people will base this year just on wins and losses but there is a couple of guys coming into the squad now that we have seen a bit of footy from them so it is exciting times ahead.
“All the injuries this year, you can look at it as a negative, and where we sit on the ladder as negative, but to give a few of the guys who have played first grade a run is really good signs for the future and I would like to be part of that.”
After a spirited team performance to topple the Panthers last Friday, Cooper hoped the club could show the same attitude and effort when they meet the Bulldogs on Thursday. With two more games left, it is a chance for the club to restore pride in the jersey and prove to the doubters that the playing group is playing for each other.
“I wish that effort from the weekend had been there a bit more consistently through the year. We will just look to finish this season off strongly,” Cooper said.