Gavin Cooper

Gavin Cooper

Personal information
Born	(1985-08-19)19 August 1985 Murgon,Queensland,Australia
Height	197 cm (6 ft 6 in)
Weight	108 kg (17 st 0 lb)
Playing information
Position	Second-row,Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2006 North Qld Cowboys 18 3 0 0 12 2007–08 Gold Coast Titans 36 3 0 0 12 2009–10 Penrith Panthers 40 4 1 0 18 2011–20 North Qld Cowboys 229 69 2 0 280 Total 323 79 3 0 322 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2013 Prime Minister's XIII 1 0 0 0 0 2016–18 Queensland 6 1 0 0 4 2017 World All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Source: As of 19 November 2020

Gavin Cooper(born 19 August 1985) is an Australian former professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played as asecond-rowfor theNorth Queensland Cowboys,Gold Coast TitansandPenrith Panthersin theNRL.

He started in the second row in the Cowboys'2015 NRL Grand Finaland2016 World Club Challengewinning sides. Cooper played forPrime Minister's XIII,Queenslandin theState of Origin seriesand theWorld All Starsside, and played as acentreearlier in his career.

Background

Cooper was born inMurgon, Queensland,Australia.

He played his junior football for the Murgon Mustangs and joined theRedcliffe Dolphinsas a teenager. In 2003, he was a member of the Dolphins' premiership-winningFOGS Coltsteam and named man of the match.In 2004, Cooper graduated to the Dolphins'Queensland Cupside, playing for them 13 times and represented the Queensland under-19 team.In August 2004, he signed with theNorth Queensland Cowboysfor the 2005 season.

In 2005, Cooper played for the Cowboys'Queensland Cupside, theNorth Queensland Young Guns.He was a member of the Young Guns premiership-winning side that season, playing alongside future Cowboys teammatesScott BoltonandMatthew Scott

Playing career

2006

In Round 2 of the2006 NRL season,Cooper made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in their 20–16 victory over theManly Sea Eagles.He played 18 games in his rookie season, scoring 3 tries, but would sign with the newly establishedGold Coast Titansin July of that year, on a two-year deal.

2007–2008

After a solid season for the Gold Coast Titans in 2007, Cooper fell out of favour in 2008, only playing 14 NRL games and spending time with the TitansQueensland Cupaffiliate, theIpswich Jets.He was not offered a new deal by the club and subsequently signed with thePenrith Panthersuntil the end of 2010.

2009–2010

In 2009, Cooper played 22 games with the Panthers, switching between the second-row and centre throughout the season. In 2010, he played 18 games, mainly off the bench, and played in his first NRL final series. On 27 August, Cooper re-joined theNorth Queensland Cowboys,signing a two-year deal with club as it underwent a total overhaul.

2011

In Round 7 of the2011 NRL season,Cooper played his 100th NRL game in the Cowboys 30–12 victory over theCronulla Sharks.He played 24 games in his first season back at the Cowboys, cementing his spot in the starting line-up at second-row. He won the Clubman of the Year award at the team's annual presentation ball at the end of the year.

2012

In 2012, Cooper started at second-row in every game for the Cowboys. He set a new record for the most tries in a season scored by a Cowboys' forward, with 10, beating teammateScott Bolton'srecord of 7 tries in 2010. On 15 May, he re-signed with the Cowboys for a further two seasons.

2013

After a solid season in which he played 22 games and scored 7 tries, Cooper earned his first senior representative jersey when he was selected to play alongside teammateJames Tamoufor thePrime Minister's XIIIin their annual match againstPapua New Guinea.He came off the bench in side's 50–10 win and was selected in theAustralianWorld Cup train-on squad.

2014

Cooper captained the Cowboys in the2014 Auckland Nines.The side won the tournament, defeating theBrisbane Broncosin the final, with Cooper being named in the Team of the Tournament. On 12 May, Cooper re-signed with the Cowboys until the end of 2017. A week later, Cooper dislocated his hip against theSydney Roostersand was ruled out for 3 months.The injury cruelled his State of Origin chances after many pundits believed he was a definite starter come game I. He returned in Round 21 and was selected at the end of the season in theAustralianFour Nations train-on squad.

2015

In January 2015, Cooper was a member of theQASEmerging Origin squad for the first time, at age 29.Later that month, he captained the CowboysAuckland Ninesside for the second year in a row.

In Round 11 of the2015 NRL season,Cooper captained the Cowboys for the first time in the side's 8–0 victory over theWests Tigers.After the Cowboys' 39–0 win over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in Week 2 of the2015 NRL finals series,aCourier Mailarticle listed Cooper as the most underrated player in the competition.On 25 September, Cooper was named inFox Sports' People's Choice Team of the Year.

On 4 October 2015, Cooper was a member of the Cowboys'Grand Finalwinning side, starting at second row in the side's 17–16 victory over theBrisbane Broncos.

Cooper scored 11 tries in the regular season, the most of any backrower in the NRL.

2016

In February 2016, Cooper captained the Cowboys again in theAuckland Nines.On 21 February 2016, Cooper was a member of the Cowboys'World Club Challengewinning side, starting at second row in the side's 38–4 victory over theLeeds RhinosatHeadingley Stadium.In mid April it was reported that Gavin Cooper would be a bolter for the Australian Test Team, he would just miss out on selection with Cowboys coachPaul Greengoing on the record and saying "I feel sorry for Coops every year around rep time. His name always gets mentioned and it happened again this year but unfortunately he didn't make the team. He's a terrific bloke and one of our leaders here I don't have to talk about how good a player he is. He wouldn't let anyone down. Hopefully he keeps doing the right thing. I am sure he will get an opportunity at some stage".

On 30 May, Cooper was announced asQueensland's18th man for Game 1 of the2016 State of Origin series.On 13 July, he made his debut for Queensland in Game 3 of the series, scoring a try

Cooper played 26 games for the Cowboys in 2016, captaining the side against theSt George Illawarra Dragonsin Round 12.

2017

In February, Cooper played for theWorld All Starsagainst theIndigenous All Stars,before captaining the Cowboys in the Auckland Nines tournament. In mid-June, Cooper was recalled to theQueensland Maroonsside for Game II of the2017 State of Origin series.Queensland went on to win the game 18–16, with Cooper starting at second row and playing 80 minutes, where he recorded 12 runs for 110 metres along with 47 tackles. In Round 16 of the2017 NRL season,Cooper captained the Cowboys in his 250th NRL game, in which they defeated thePenrith Panthers14–12.

After club co-captainsJohnathan ThurstonandMatthew Scottwere ruled out with season-ending injuries, Cooper took over the role. On 1 October, he captained the club in the2017 NRL Grand Final,which they lost to theMelbourne Storm.

2018

In Round 16, Cooper played his 200th NRL game for the Cowboys in their 21–20 loss toSouth Sydney.He once again represented Queensland, playing in his first fullState of Origin series,starting at second row in all three games.

In Round 25, Cooper became the first forward to score a try in nine straight games, breaking the record originally set byARL Team of the Centuryprop andImmortalFrank Burgein 1918.The try was set up byJohnathan Thurstonin his final NRL game, making it the 350th and final try assist of Thurston's career.

Cooper ended the 2018 season with 13 tries from 23 games, his highest ever try tally.

2019

Cooper played all 24 games for the Cowboys in 2019, starting at second row in 23 of those games, scoring three tries. In Round 17, he played his 300th NRL game in the Cowboys' 15–12 win over theSydney RoostersatCentral Coast Stadium.

On 30 August, Cooper signed a one-year contract extension with the Cowboys.

2020

Cooper began theseasonas a startingsecond-rowfor the Cowboys, scoring a try in their Round 1 loss to theBrisbane Broncos.He started just two more games before being relegated to a bench role for the rest of the season.

On 14 September, the Cowboys announced that Cooper would leave the club at the end of the2020 NRL season,after 11 seasons with the team.In Round 20, Cooper played his final game for the Cowboys, kicking a goal in the side's 32–16 win over theBrisbane Broncos.

Post playing

After retiring from the NRL, Cooper would take up a behind the scenes role at the Cowboys becoming the clubs community engagement officer.

Achievements and accolades

Individual

• North Queensland Cowboys Club Person of the Year:2011

Team

• 2014 NRL Auckland Nines:North Queensland Cowboys– Winners
• 2015 NRL Grand Final:North Queensland Cowboys– Winners
• 2016 World Club Challenge:North Queensland Cowboys– Winners

Statistics

NRL

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2020 season

†	Denotes seasons in which Cooper won anNRL Premiership

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2006	North Queensland	18	3	0	—	0	12
2007	Gold Coast	22	2	0	—	0	8
2008		14	1	0	—	0	4
2009	Penrith	22	1	1	50.0	0	6
2010		18	3	0	—	0	12
2011	North Queensland	24	6	1	25.0	0	26
2012		26	10	0	—	0	40
2013		22	7	0	—	0	28
2014		17	6	0	—	0	24
2015†		27	11	0	—	0	44
2016		26	9	0	—	0	36
2017		25	3	0	—	0	12
2018		23	13	0	—	0	52
2019		24	3	0	—	0	12
2020		15	1	1	100.0	0	6
Career totals		323	79	3	42.9	0	322

State of Origin

†	Denotes seasons in which Cooper won aState of Origin Series

Season	Team	Matches	T	G	GK %	F/G	Pts
2016†	Queensland	1	1	0	—	0	4
2017†		2	0	0	—	0	0
2018		3	0	0	—	0	0
Career totals		6	1	0	—	0	4

Personal life

Cooper and his wife, Tenille Cooper (née Stephenson), have two sons.

Cooper is the younger brother of formerCronulla Sharks,Melbourne StormandNewcastle KnightsplayerDustin Cooper,who played 37 NRL games between 2003 and 2008.

External links

• North Queensland Cowboys profileArchived6 March 2018 at theWayback Machine
• Cowboys profileArchived24 May 2015 at theWayback Machine