Gavin Cooper has been inspirational in place of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott

GAVIN Cooper may describe himself as the “Steven Bradbury” of North Queensland captains, but that’s certainly not the way his teammates see it.

GAVIN Cooper may describe himself as the “Steven Bradbury” of North Queensland captains, but that’s certainly not the way his teammates see it.

The Maroons workhorse took on the role as skipper for the Cowboys this season after both of the club’s captains in Johnathan Thurston (shoulder) and Matt Scott (knee) were sidelined.

For Cooper, each day is just another normal day, regardless of whether he has that role or not.

But for his teammates, what he does through his words and actions has been a key part of their inspirational finals run.

To the rest of the Cowboys, Cooper is an unsung hero of their march towards October.

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“The boys get a lift out of seeing him do what he does,” fellow backrower Ethan Lowe said.

“Everything he does, he gives it 100 per cent. Every week he’s going to turn up and do his job. That’s one of the things that has really helped.

Gavin Cooper has been praised for the way he has taken over from Johnathan Thurston.

“He might not have been the captain before, but he has definitely been a leader in this team. The boys get a kick out of him leading us.”

While Scott could make a miraculous return this week, and also possibly take back that captaincy role, Cooper’s contributions will not be forgotten by his teammates.

A number of players have had to step up this year and become leaders but hooker Jake Granville said Cooper is the one who knows exactly what to say to get everyone on the same page.

“If we have a break in play, he knows exactly what to say in those breaks,” Granville said.

“Everyone listens to him and he’s been a very good captain for us.

Gavin Cooper in action for the Cowboys.

“He’s always been a big talker and leader for the club. He’s stepped up a bit more in that area.

“He doesn’t stop talking, he’s a great talker. He’s like another half out there. He can call shape and he can compose a team really well. He has a way with words.”

Cooper however, insists he hasn’t done anything differently this year.

“(Being captain) is not something that I aspired to do,” he said.

“My role really hasn’t changed too much. I get to lead the boys out on the field and do a bit more media. That’s it really. I got a little bit lost (early on) trying to do too much and let my own role slip a little bit.

“But outside of that, I used to speak when I had something to say anyway. I can only do what I know works for me.”