Dogs want Cooper
By TIM BARROW
The hard-tackling Andrew Ryan would love to see Matt Cooper in a Bulldogs jersey next season.
The Bulldogs captain is well aware of the speculation surrounding his club making a massive offer to secure Cooper, who comes off contract at the end of the season.
Ryan has massive respect for the star centre and knows the value Cooper would have to the Bulldogs, who will lose Willie Tonga to North Queensland next year and missed out on signing Israel Folau from Melbourne.
Ryan admitted the signing of Bulldogs assistant coach Kevin Moore to replace Steve Folkes next season will help the club's recruiting prospects and it is understood Cooper is high on the list of priorities for the Dogs.
"He's a great player," Ryan said.
"There's been a fair bit of speculation about Coops coming to the club.
"We'd be happy to have him, but I'm sure so would the Dragons and their fans, so we'll see."
Cooper has also attracted interest from English Super League clubs, even prompting officials from Hull to travel to WIN Stadium to watch him.