NRL great boycotts premiership reunion as feud explodes
NRL great-turned reality TV star Matt Cooper has poured fuel on the fire of an explosive feud after a no-show at a premiership reunion.
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Dragons great Matt Cooper has poured fuel on the fire of his explosive feud with sections of his former club.
The former NSW State of Origin centre sensationally boycotted his team’s 2010 premiership reunion this weekend and went public with suggestions of a rift with the club.
Cooper took to social media on the weekend to apologise for not attending the event, which saw a host of the club’s former premiership heroes come together at Randwick.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Mark Gasnier, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Michael Weyman Trent Merrin Ben Creagh, Jason Nightingale, Ben Hornby and Jamie Soward all were present.
Even premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett was present.
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It’s why Cooper’s absence stood out so dramatically.
A day to remember the #NRLCHAMPS of 2010. @NRL_Dragonspic.twitter.com/1Mfnwu7MOx
— Jamie Soward (@sowwowofficial6) December 3, 2022
“I want to apologise to my 2010 premiership team for not attending the 10-12 year 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,” he added.
As reported by foxsports.com.au, Cooper later added that he had sent the tweet because it was “my only way to let the players know why I wasn’t there” but did not want to divulge why he was absent.
“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,” he wrote.
While it is unclear what exactly Cooper is referring to it does appear to involve former club CEO Peter Doust.
When told by one fan to “be the bigger man and ignore said people”, Cooper replied: “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
Not if you knew what Doust did to me
— Matt Cooper (@mattcooper44) December 3, 2022
The veteran administrator was one of the longest serving CEOs the league has known and left his position in 2018 after 18 years as the club’s top official.
The Telegraph spoke to a few of the former players in attendance, with one admitting they were “a bit shocked but more saddened” by his absence.
“It was noticed that ‘Coops’ wasn’t there,” one said.
“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.”
Another player told The Telegraph it was “just a shame” that Cooper was not there for the reunion.
Cooper was critical of the club earlier in the season when a report claimed just three players attended the Dragons’ end-of-year awards night, writing on Twitter: “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,” he added.
The club has struggled for results on the field and the front office has reportedly found itself offside with fans for its handling of the football department.
Recently, the club was accused of having cultural problems after Ben Hunt was the only player to attend the team’s end of season awards night.
The club is also still trying to sort out the future of young gun Tyrell Sloan who backflipped to remain at the club, despite two official requests to be released from his contract.
Cooper, meanwhile, has not looked back on his messy exit from the club in 2013 and has become a popular reality TV star with appearances on Dancing with the Stars, The Celebrity Apprentice and the 2021 season of Celebrity Big Brother Australia.
Originally published as NRL great boycotts premiership reunion as feud explodes
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