Sharks utility back Dustin Cooper has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2007 season with a serious foot injury.
Cooper, who arrived at the Sharks this season from the Newcastle Knights, went down in the 60th minute of the match against South Sydney last week in what was his debut appearance in first grade for the Sharks.
He had started the game in the centres and when injured had switched to the fullback position.
Sharks physiotherapist Matt Green explained the injury to be similar to those suffered by Sharks lock Greg Bird towards the end of the 2005 season and by Willie Mason while playing for Australian against the US on the back end of the 2004 Tri Nations Tour.
“Dustin has a Lisfranc injury to his left foot,” Green explained. “He will have surgery next Tuesday to have a screw inserted and is likely to miss the rest of the season. He’s obviously pretty disappointed.”
The injury to Cooper is a blow to the back line depth at the Sharks, with his versatility to be sorely missed. Impressive throughout the pre season and also in the trial matches, Cooper played in the centres in Premier League in round one and also against the Rabittohs, but is equally adept at fullback or on the wing, while at close to 100kgs, could easily slot into the forwards in a time of crisis.
In Cooper’s place for Monday night against St George Illawarra comes ex-Bronco Fraser Anderson, who moves from the wing and into the centres. In one of a number of positional changes, David Simmons goes from fullback to wing and Brett Kearney from five eighth to fullback, with Brett Seymour to move into Kearney’s spot in what will be his first NRL game for the Sharks against the Dragons.
Paul Gallen is making steady progress in his recovery from an ankle injury, with Sharks coaching staff hopeful of having the State of Origin forward back on deck and fully fit for the game on Monday night.
Kick off on Monday will be at 7.00pm. Premier League, with the Sharks playing St George, is due to begin at 5.00pm. Gates open at 4.45pm.
