Coops and the players are pumped
Cooper revitalised after Bennett arrival
09/02/2009 5:55 PM
Steve Orme
Sportal
Long-serving Dragons centre Matt Cooper says the arrival of legendary coach Wayne Bennett has reinvigorated the famous club following six years under Nathan Brown.
Cooper, now in his 10th NRL season with St George Illawarra, admits the departure of club stalwarts Mark Gasnier and Jason Ryles at the end of last season took some getting used to.
But the 29-year-old claims the arrival of the former Broncos mentor, along with a number of fresh faces to the playing roster, has rendered the club unrecognisable.
And he couldn't be happier.
"Obviously it's a different feeling for me having been at the club for many years now," Cooper told Sportal.
"It feels like I've gone to a new club just with the amount of change over of staff and players this year."
"It's a good feeling and I'm excited and so is everyone else."
Cooper says Bennett's impact was immediate and claims the players have embraced the former Broncos mentor, and his methods, wholeheartedly.
"I think everyone at the club have really enjoyed Wayne's coaching over the last few months," he said.
"It's been a different approach to what we've had in the past and everyone's enjoyed it. Every time I talk to players about it they're just that excited to start the season."
Asked to pinpoint the major differences between the new coach and his predecessor, Cooper declared Bennett and Brown polar opposites.
"To what we've had in the past it's just completely opposite, he's more experienced, he's been there and done it before for Brisbane and with Australian teams," Cooper said of Bennett.
"He's just got the guidance of a leader and he's brought that to our team and especially to the senior players in the team he's brought a lot of guidance ... he's really tried to get us going and I think it's working, but we're just going to have to see on Saturday night (against the Roosters) how it's gone."
Meanwhile, Cooper expressed his strong desire to retain his place in the New South Wales line-up and avenge the recent run of Origin series defeats at the hand of the Maroons.
"The last three years it's been pretty bad, Queensland have won the last three series," Cooper lamented.
"So obviously I'm keen to get back in the squad and hopefully win it this year for New South Wales."
But the powerful centre says his main priority is ensuring the Dragons are serious contenders in 2009.
"Obviously I'm just keen to play well this year for the Dragons, I think it's going to be a big year for us and we're excited," he said.
"Everyone to do (with the club), the supporters, everyone I talk to is just that keen for this year and it's the same for the players, we're just keen to get out there."
The Dragons arrived in Perth on Monday and will complete a four-day training camp ahead of Saturday's trial hit out against the Roosters at Members Equity Stadium.
http://sportal.com.au/League-news-display/cooper-revitalised-64669
