Coops proud to be in great company
“Once Sunday morning comes around it will be a special day.
“It is a big occasion, I don’t want to downplay it either. The boys just said I am only the 37th player to do it. I know (Cameron) Smithy’s going to play 400 this week and Benji (Marshall) will play in his 300th as well. It is a big milestone week for the NRL.
“It’s good to have my name mentioned alongside those other guys as well.”
While he spent his early years moving between the outside backs and the forward pack, Cooper has spent the majority of his career packing into the second row of the scrum for the Cowboys.
He formed a special combination with fellow club legend, and the only other player to celebrate 300 games in Cowboys colours, Johnathan Thurston.
Cooper became one of the most prolific try-scoring forwards, and last year became the first premiership forward to score tries in nine straight games, breaking the previous eight game record of NRL Immortal Frank Burge set a century ago.
He has also been one of the more consistent players for the Cowboys, with an injury in 2014 the only significant break he has had since rejoining the Cowboys in 2010. Cooper believes it has been a bit of luck that has allowed him to be on the field as often as he has.
“(It is a) bit of luck, always a bit of luck involved. Injuries play a part in most people’s careers but it is the way you bounce back from them,” he said.
“I bounced around a couple clubs and played in the outside backs for a bit, so I suppose that prolonged it. Those guys don’t do too much work out there, so that makes it a bit easier.
“Moving into the back row for most of my career, I have been pretty lucky for the most part. Now I am getting a bit older, the training staff help in that regard as well, with looking after the K’s I put in the legs.
“I am on diesel now, it used to be petrol. I am still hungry to play, I am still enjoying the challenge and still enjoy turning up to training. I won’t put a time on it, but (I’m) definitely keen to keep going.”
The Cowboys will celebrate Cooper’s milestone occasion when they meet the Sydney Roosters in Gosford on Sunday.
Coach Paul Green said it was a big moment for the club and its fans.
“It is a huge achievement for Coops and something he should be very proud of, for him and his family,” Green said. “It is a wonderful achievement to reach that milestone for any player, so I am really privileged to be part of this game.
“His willingness to help everyone, he connects well with the young guys and the old guys. I think that has been, aside from what he does on the field, (one of his big assets). He is a great player, he has played Origin and in grand finals. He captained the club to the grand final in 2017.
“He has had a wonderful career.”
Keep an eye out for the Townsville Bulletin’s exclusive feature on Cooper’s career later this week.