Cooper in coaches’ box
COWBOYS coach Josh Hannay wants to use the experience of veteran backrower Gavin Cooper more than just on the field.
While the 319-game veteran has been a notable omission from the team sheet in recent weeks, he has not been far from the action.
Hannay welcomed Cooper into his coaches’ box for the clash with the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, and it appears it won’t be the last time.
While Hannay stressed that Cooper would get another opportunity to pull on the Cowboys jersey, for now he wants to use the 34-year-old’s football nous.
“I will be really honest, with Coops I have explained to him if he is not in the team, I think he has a bit more to offer us than just being a number out on the training paddock,” Hannay said.
“He has such a great head for the game. I am going to use him as another set of eyes around the place.
“(The Titans clash) was an opportunity for him, while not being part of the team, to come away with us and sit up in the coaches’ box and get a different perspective on things.”
It has added a lot of club experience to the coaches’ box, which already includes Cowboys greats Hannay (150) and Aaron Payne (212).
The trio have more than 600 games of combined experience in the Cowboys colours and were all teammates for a season in 2006.
It could also be a sign of things to come for Cooper, who comes off contract at the end of the 2020 season.
Cooper extended his deal for a year at the end of last season, reportedly turning down what he described as “attractive offers” to play overseas.
But he has taken on a reduced role for the Cowboys this season, coming off the bench in all but three of his games.
The club always had plans to use him in a mentoring capacity for the bright crop of backrowers coming through the ranks, and his time in the box could be a signal of what the post-playing career holds for Cooper.
But for now, Hannay has implored his veteran to keep his work rate up ahead of a recall to the Cowboys squad.
“He still needs to tick over physically. He will get another opportunity in the jersey,” Hannay said.
“While he is not playing, I think we can use his services a lot smarter.
“There has been no about (his future), it is much in the present.
“When he is not playing he will be helping me out.” talk very
IF HE IS NOT IN THE TEAM, I THINK HE HAS A BIT MORE TO OFFER US THAN JUST BEING A NUMBER OUT ON THE TRAINING PADDOCK