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Look at the scoreboard, Matt Cooper taunts
Back in action ... Matt Cooper. Source: The Daily Telegraph
ST GEORGE Illawarra strike weapon Matt Cooper has rubbished criticism that the undefeated Dragons are boring, declaring yesterday: "We don't care because we're winning."
Despite another faultless start to the season, the barbs have already been fired over the Dragons' conservative, error-free football that has claimed the scalps of title heavyweights Parramatta and the Bulldogs.
While the Roosters, Tigers and Eels have set alight the NRL with their free-wheeling attack, the Dragons' safety-first approach has left some league fans reaching for the No-Doz. But Cooper insists the flair can take a back seat. The Dragons machine won't be recalibrated.
"People can say that about us, but at the end of the day we're winning," the 30-year-old said. "I think Dragons fans would be more worried about us winning than putting on fancy plays and all that sort of stuff."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...er/story-e6frexnr-1225844484992#sidebar-start
The Dragons strangled the life out of rivals last year to claim the minor premiership and have already slipped seamlessly back into character this year with the same miserly defence and disdain for the risky.
No team knocks back a quick tap for a penalty goal more than Wayne Bennett's men and already this year the side has scored more points from penalty goals and had more attempts than the 15 other NRL clubs.
It was in evidence during Friday night's 26-6 win over the Bulldogs when Jamie Soward opted for the two points instead of an attacking raid when the Dragons were awarded a penalty and leading 22-6 with five minutes remaining.
Some critics also labelled Soward's ploy of kicking the ball dead to nullify Jarryd Hayne in the round one win as "against the spirit of the game".
But Cooper, who returns from a hamstring injury to make his first NRL appearance of the year against the Cowboys on Friday night, says neither the players or supporters are worried by the criticism.
"I think they [the fans] walked away from the game on Friday night really happy and that's what it's all about I suppose," he said.
Cooper says the side has found a comfortable formula. It's also the key to the club's early-season rhythm.
"I think our style of football is probably one that if we do it right at the start of the season then we're going to do it right all year," he said. "It's just completion rate, get our defence right and the rest will come."
Cooper's left side is one area where the Dragons have been vibrant with the ball, with Brett Morris bagging a hat-trick against the Dogs and backrower-cum-prop-cum-centre Matt Prior proving hard to contain.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...test-matt-cooper/story-e6frexnr-1225844484992
Back in action ... Matt Cooper. Source: The Daily Telegraph
ST GEORGE Illawarra strike weapon Matt Cooper has rubbished criticism that the undefeated Dragons are boring, declaring yesterday: "We don't care because we're winning."
Despite another faultless start to the season, the barbs have already been fired over the Dragons' conservative, error-free football that has claimed the scalps of title heavyweights Parramatta and the Bulldogs.
While the Roosters, Tigers and Eels have set alight the NRL with their free-wheeling attack, the Dragons' safety-first approach has left some league fans reaching for the No-Doz. But Cooper insists the flair can take a back seat. The Dragons machine won't be recalibrated.
"People can say that about us, but at the end of the day we're winning," the 30-year-old said. "I think Dragons fans would be more worried about us winning than putting on fancy plays and all that sort of stuff."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...er/story-e6frexnr-1225844484992#sidebar-start
The Dragons strangled the life out of rivals last year to claim the minor premiership and have already slipped seamlessly back into character this year with the same miserly defence and disdain for the risky.
No team knocks back a quick tap for a penalty goal more than Wayne Bennett's men and already this year the side has scored more points from penalty goals and had more attempts than the 15 other NRL clubs.
It was in evidence during Friday night's 26-6 win over the Bulldogs when Jamie Soward opted for the two points instead of an attacking raid when the Dragons were awarded a penalty and leading 22-6 with five minutes remaining.
Some critics also labelled Soward's ploy of kicking the ball dead to nullify Jarryd Hayne in the round one win as "against the spirit of the game".
But Cooper, who returns from a hamstring injury to make his first NRL appearance of the year against the Cowboys on Friday night, says neither the players or supporters are worried by the criticism.
"I think they [the fans] walked away from the game on Friday night really happy and that's what it's all about I suppose," he said.
Cooper says the side has found a comfortable formula. It's also the key to the club's early-season rhythm.
"I think our style of football is probably one that if we do it right at the start of the season then we're going to do it right all year," he said. "It's just completion rate, get our defence right and the rest will come."
Cooper's left side is one area where the Dragons have been vibrant with the ball, with Brett Morris bagging a hat-trick against the Dogs and backrower-cum-prop-cum-centre Matt Prior proving hard to contain.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...test-matt-cooper/story-e6frexnr-1225844484992