North Queensland forward Gavin Cooper accuses Cronulla of “twisting” Matt Scott’s knee

NORTH Queensland forward Gavin Cooper has accused Cronulla players of “twisting” Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott’s knee in their clash last Friday.

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GAVIN Cooper has accused Cronulla players of “twisting” Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott’s knee in their clash last Friday.

The North Queensland forward came out in defence of his teammate on Monday, calling on the referees to keep a closer eye on teams targeting recently injured players.

Scott made his NRL return from an ACL injury against the Sharks on Friday.

Cooper said he noticed a few times that Sharks players were going after the veteran prop’s knee and even pointed it out to referees.

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“There was a few little dirty tactics, a couple of guys twisting his leg and stuff like that that the refs missed,” he said.

“That was pretty disappointing after what he’s been through. There were a couple of things I saw that the refs missed so hopefully we stamp that out of the game.

“For Thumper to get his first full, real game out of the way is a big milestone for anyone coming back from a long-term injury.”

Scott however tried to play down the accusations, telling media to “look at the video” when asked if his knees were twisted.

“I’ll leave that on the field,” he said.

“I was not targeted too much. Any time you come back from a long-term injury you except to get it tested out a little bit.”

Cooper expects extras from the Sharks. (Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cooper said that there is always a bit of “feeling” in their meetings with the Sharks and that something always tends to happen against them.

When asked if he thought Scott would receive similar treatment again this week in the club’s derby clash with the Broncos, he said it was hopefully a one time incident.

“Our games (against Brisbane) are generally pretty free-flowing and bring out the best in each other,” Cooper said.

“We have done that for a long time. I don’t expect any different on Friday night.”

Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough also laughed off any suggestions that the Broncos would look to target Scott’s knees, saying any contact with that area would only be from a normal tackle.

“If that’s the way it was, it’s not in the spirit of the game,” McCullough said of the accusations.

“I have to worry about tackling (Scott) first, I don’t have time to worry about his knee. If I do a leg tackle, it’s got nothing to do with targeting his knee.”

No Sharks players were cited by the NRL match review committee for any wrongdoing against Scott and Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan told Cooper to get his “facts right”.

“There is no evidence whatsoever and they’re false, false accusations,” he said.

“If you’re going to make comments like these then you have to have some evidence.

“I don’t listen too much to him (Cooper). I don’t think too many do. I have to worry about my boys, not him.”

Originally published as North Queensland forward Gavin Cooper accuses Cronulla of “twisting” Matt Scott’s knee