NRL 2022: Dragons legend’s explosive reason for snubbing 2010 grand final reunion

A key member of the Dragons 2010 premiership side has left teammates “shocked and saddened” after revealing why he brushed the grand final reunion in a revealing social media post.

Former St George Illawarra teammates are “shocked and saddened” at star centre Matt Cooper’s refusal to attend a 2010 premiership reunion over a bitter feud with ex-club CEO Peter Doust.

“It was just a shame he wasn’t there,” said one player.

Cooper, the former NSW and Test centre, took to social media to call out Doust in comments which surprised players at the event, held during a race meeting at Randwick last Friday.

It was the Dragons’ 10-year premiership reunion but was held now – 12 years after the win over Sydney Roosters – due to Covid delays.

Dragons’ grand final stars to attend included Mark Gasnier, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Michael Weyman Trent Merrin Ben Creagh, Jason Nightingale, Ben Hornby and Jamie Soward while coach Wayne Bennett flew down from Queensland.

However Cooper, a key player in the 32-8 grand final win, was a notable absentee and then went public to explain his controversial decision.

Cooper took to Twitter on Saturday morning to say: “I want to apologise to my 2010 premiership team for not attending the 10-12 year reunion.

The 2010 Dragons' premiership-winning team reunion.

“The reason why I did not attend was I didn’t want to make a scene and ruin a special occasion … knowing former CEO and a player who did not even play in the game were going to be there.”

Cooper, who has endured some battles since retiring in 2013, posted again five hours later to say: “I can see a lot of people are wondering why I sent that tweet, it was my only way to let the players know why I wasn’t there.

“With the ‘why’, it has to do with what happened to me when I retired, I’m not ready to share that right now, but the truth will come out next year.”

One fan responded online by telling Cooper to “be the bigger man and ignore said people.”

Cooper responded: “Not if you knew what Doust did to me.”

I want to apologise to my 2010 premiership team for not attending the 10-12year reunion. The reason why I did not attend, was I didn’t want to make a scene and ruin a special occasion! Knowing former CEO and a player who did not even play in the game were going to be there.

— Matt Cooper (@mattcooper44) December 3, 2022

I can see a lot of people are wondering why I sent that tweet, it was my only way to let the players know why I wasn’t there. With the why,it has to do with what happened to me when I retired, I’m not ready to share that right now, but the truth will come out next year.

— Matt Cooper (@mattcooper44) December 3, 2022

I can’t believe 3 players went to the #redv awards night!!!
Actually I can! The club has no loyalty and honour anymore. That all stopped when Wayne Bennett left.

— Matt Cooper (@mattcooper44) October 17, 2022

Ok this is what loyalty looks like!!! Redv fans pic.twitter.com/SLCWeQdVRw

— Matt Cooper (@mattcooper44) October 21, 2022

There is a suggestion Cooper was not given a promised post-career job at the club. Others claim Cooper was offered a job.

The Daily Telegraph twice reached out to Doust but he did not respond.

One player at the reunion said: “It was noticed that ‘Coops’ wasn’t there. We were a bit shocked but more saddened.

“He obviously has his issues with Doust. I’m not sure which player he was referring to in his tweet.

“There were a few players there that played with us that season but didn’t play in the grand final.”

Former Dragons CEO Peter Doust. Picture: Brett Costello

Darius Boyd, Neville Costigan and Dean Young were also unable to attend.

Players understood pre-function that Cooper would be attending.

Cooper, now 43, won plenty of praise for his stance on social media but also copped some criticism. He has been strong in his views about the club’s struggles in recent years.

Soward enjoyed the reunion, posting a photo of the grand final squad and saying: “A day to remember the NRL champs of 2010.”

Cooper, a wonderful defensive centre, scored 125 tries for the Dragons in a 244-game career at the club. He also played 13 Origin games for NSW and seven Test matches.