Veteran in tribute to family for making grand career possible

“PEACE out”.

With two simple words Gavin Cooper drew the curtains on one of the toughest careers at the North Queensland Cowboys.

After 11 seasons at the club across two stints, Cooper gave his final address as a Cowboys player at the club’s awards night on Saturday.

The 323-game NRL veteran was one of the toughest players to lace the boots for the Cowboys, but he was reduced to tears as he delivered a heartfelt and stirring goodbye to the club where he became a leg

Brianna and Michael Morgan.

Josh and Tanyssa Mcguire. end. Cooper ran through a long list of thankyous in his 10minute address, but saved his most emotional moments for the people who have stood behind him, parents Debbie and Glenn and wife, Tenille.

“What mum and dad did to get us to footy carnivals, pay for rep trips. I think they even tried to sell the back of our jacket getting sponsorship from the Royal Hotel for under-12s footy. It wasn’t quite working in Murgon,” Cooper said.

“Those guys, they would come to every game if they could and I think they would have racked up a big bill getting to 324 of them. “My time here at the club, in my second stint, I have been able to become a husband, I have been able to become a father. It is not always rosy, it is not always easy. We’re not perfect but I don’t think anyone is.

“But to have (Tenille) supporting me the way you have, it only shows with trying to organise what you have over the past few weeks in my last couple of games. Trying to get everybody here. I will remember this forever.”

Cooper is a life member at the Cowboys and became the fourth most-capped player at the club in the win over Bris

Taylor Brunton and Coen Hess. bane in the final round. He took over from premiershipwinner Scott Bolton with 247 games in Cowboys’ colours, sitting behind fellow club legends Johnathan Thurston (294), Matt Bowen (270) and Matt Scott (268).

Cooper was a driving force behind the Cowboys’ run of seven-straight finals appearances from 2011 and captained the club to their first piece of silverware at the NRL Nines in 2014. He also led the club on a fairytale run to the 2017 grand final in the absence of co-captains Thurston and Scott.

With Cooper’s departure from the club, it is the end of

Justin and Chantelle O'neill. another era at the Cowboys. s. Cooper was the final player left from the ‘100 club’, having been Cowboy No. 170 when he arrived in 2006. The nearest to the 100 club left in the Cowboys squad is skipper Michael Morgan at No. 214.

The backrower is adamant this is not the end of his playing career, but as for what the future holds he said for now he was just looking forward to a well-earned holiday with his wife and sons, Reggie and Archie. “I will still be around the place doing something, I am not going to disappear. But for now, Player 170 peace out,” he said.

Gavin Cooper.

Wiremu Greig and Kelsey Castellaro.