Cooper, Dragons agree to terms

New South Wales and Australian centre Matt Cooper today agreed to terms with the St George Illawarra Dragons that will see him at the club until the end of the 2008 season.

Cooper’s signing was the second of the Dragons’ off-contract players to make a formal commitment with the club after talented 22-year-old forward Dean Young committed to three more seasons last week.

The Shellharbour junior began his NRL career with the Dragons in 2000 and has gone on to play 99 games for the club. The highly-regarded centre has also achieved representative honours, playing four games for the NSW Blues in the annual State of Origin series, as well as six Test caps for the Kangaroos.

Dragons CEO Peter Doust expressed pleasure in Cooper’s new arrangements with the club.

“Matt is a significant contributor to our organisation and key component of our team moving forward,” said Doust. “I am very pleased that he has chosen to stay with our club and I am sure our fans will be too.”

26-year-old Cooper was also clearly pleased with his new contract with the club.

“The Dragons is a great club and I am very happy to be staying,” said Cooper through the club’s official website. “I am a local junior and have always been given great opportunities here.

“We have a great group of players here that I enjoy playing with, a group that I want to continue to be a part of.”

These sentiments are similar to those of Young who, like Cooper, also features prominently in the future of the red and whites.

“It is a great club, one that has always looked after me and I am proud to be a part of it,” said the 22-year-old.

“We have a special group that I want to be a part of. Dad played his career out here and there’s no reason why I can’t do the same.”

Doust also expressed his gratefulness in the both players’ decisions to re-sign for less than their market value.

“I also need to compliment both Matt and Dean and their management companies on their understanding of what the Dragons stand for,” said Doust. “Both have agreed to stay with our club for less than what they would no doubt have attracted on the open market.”

With Cooper and Young signed up, Dragons administration will not be able to rest as they continue to avoid a mass player exodus at the end of the 2006 season with a whole host of big names, including Australian centre Mark Gasnier and exciting 21-year-old Ben Creagh, yet to be secured.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!