North Queensland Cowboys backrower Gavin Cooper surges into Origin contention

HE IS a lanky 28-year-old battler in his ninth NRL season, at his third club. Now he’s a State of Origin bolter.

Gavin Cooper on Saturday. Picture: Zak Simmonds

HE IS a lanky 28-year-old battler in his ninth NRL season, at his third NRL club.

Now Gavin Cooper is shaping as a Queensland State of Origin bolter.

Once unfortunately hyped as “the next Gorden Tallis”, The Courier-Mail can reveal Cooper was very close to being sized for a Queensland jersey in Game II last year.

His name was repeatedly mentioned at the selection table following the Maroons’ loss in Game I.

Officials ultimately chose Josh Papalii to replace the demoted Ashley Harrison, and the call was a master stroke.

Cooper is the best player in the NRL at running off the shoulder of Johnathan Thurston and their partnership has won many games for North Queensland during the past four seasons.

News_Image_File: Gavin Cooper. Picture: Zak Simmonds

It is a combination that appeals to Queensland officials.

There is a potential interchange forward spot to fill for Queensland this year, with Papalii racing the clock to be fit.

The ankle injury Papalii suffered against Newcastle last week will rule him out until Round 7 at the earliest.

That leaves the second-row enforcer just three games to push his case.

The other contender for the spot is Dylan Napa, who would be a like-for-like replacement for Papalii, where as Cooper adds different elements including footwork at the line and utility value.

News_Rich_Media: North Queensland Cowboys Paul Green addressed the media after his side's 20-18 loss to the New Zealand Warriors at 1300SMILES Stadium.

“His name has certainly come up in discussions,” Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris said.

“He is a real prospect. We have been watching him for a few years now.

“I know that we have mentioned him plenty of times (in selection meetings) but then he hasn’t got a call-up for one reason or another.

“I’m sure he will get an opportunity sooner or later.

“He’s playing well. He’s not too far away.”

News_Rich_Media: Full replay of the North Queensland Cowboys clash with the New Zealand Warriors at 1300SMILES Stadium,

Cooper made his representative debut at the end of last season when he was selected to play for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII against Papua New Guinea.

It came seven years after his first season with North Queensland which lasted just 12 months before he moved to the Gold Coast, whose officials proclaimed him the next Tallis.

Thurston was adamant earlier this year that Cooper’s form demanded Origin consideration.

“Given that his form continues to go up on the rise and he plays consistently week in, week out, then he gives himself a chance there of getting mentioned,” he said.

“But the best thing for us to do as a team is to prepare well and keep working hard at these structures that have been put in place and executing them to give ourselves every chance of winning.

“Then, when you’re winning, your name gets thrown in the hat.”