Matt Cooper joins Dragons casualty list

Report from: Steven Williams
03/09/03

St George Illawarra centre Matt Cooper is the latest casualty for the injury-stricken Dragons and will be sidelined for this Friday’s clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Cooper pulled up at training yesterday. It was later revealed by an MRI scan that he had sustained a quadriceps injury. Cooper follows Mark Gasnier (quadriceps), Ian Donnelly (hand injury) and Nathan Blacklock (knee) who have also withdrawn this week.

Robbie Simpson has been added to the bench. He will be Saints' 12th NRL debutante for the season.

It a been a horror injury stretch for the Dragons who have lost a number of players this year including halves Trent Barrett and Brett Firman as well as front rower Jason Ryles.

Coach Nathan Brown has been forced to make wholesale changes to the team.

17 Fullback, Reece SIMMONDS
24 Wing, Hassen SALEH
23 Centre, John WILSHERE
20 Centre, Chris NERO
5 Wing, Ben CREAGH
1 Five-eighth, Ben HORNBY
7 Halfback, Mathew HEAD
8 Prop, Luke BAILEY
9 Hooker, Mark RIDDELL
10 Prop, Chris LEIKVOLL
11 Second row, Brent KITE
6 Second row, Shaun TIMMINS (C)
13 Lock, Dean YOUNG

14 Interchange, Ashton SIMS
15 Interchange, Craig STAPLETON
12 Interchange, John CROSS
21 Interchange, Robbie SIMPSON

SOTV Poste script:
12 players missing who could almost fill a run-on team:
Fullback: Roberts
Wing: Blacklock
Centre: Cooper
Centre: Gasnier
Wing: M Howell
Five-eighth: Barrett
Halfback: Firman
Lock: TBA
2nd-row: Thompson
2nd-row: Perenara
Prop: Ryles
Hooker: Gorrell
Prop: Donnelly