Top-four Finish A Farewell Fairytale
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday August 26, 2008
ST GEORGE Illawarra centre Matt Cooper has vowed to use the emotion surrounding the farewells of close mates Jason Ryles and Mark Gasnier's to spur the Dragons towards a fairytale premiership.
A candid Cooper yesterday said the end of an era at the club could be used as a major motivator, as the Dragons eye a top-four finish this season.His comments come after a stirring 34-6 win over the Warriors at WIN Stadium on Sunday in Gasnier and Cooper's last game in Wollongong."We used that emotion to our advantage (on Sunday)," Cooper said."It probably wouldn't hurt us if we did use that every week going into the game. "Obviously it worked (on Sunday)."Cooper, who signed a new two-year deal with the Dragons earlier this season, spoke of how he has been personally moved by Gasnier and Ryles's impending departure."With Gaz and Ryles, we've been playing together since day one," he said."It's always sad to see your friends leave, it was a sad day (on Sunday)."After the game a few of the boys got a bit teary ... but that's football, mate."The Dragons, now virtually a finals certainty after Sunday's win, take on a desperate Parramatta on Saturday night, before a final-round blockbuster against the Roosters.The Eels inflicted probably St George Illawarra's most devastating loss this season, when a Brett Finch field goal sealed a 19-18 win at ANZ Stadium in round nine.The Dragons are in seventh position, two points behind the fourth-placed Roosters, with the Broncos and Raiders also in the mix.Snatching fourth place would see St George Illawarra play a home semi-final at WIN Stadium next month.But while Wollongong officially farewelled Gasnier and Ryles on Sunday, the star duo aren't the only Dragons players in their last days at the club.Winger Josh Morris, who scored a double in the powerful win over the Warriors, is destined for the Bulldogs next year.The Kiama junior is hopeful of playing in a finals campaign with injured brother Brett."Injuries have been a bit cruel to Brett lately and every game I get to play with him, you know, I'd love to get that chance," he said."It's hard, I've supported the club all my life and it's something that I'll always cherish and remember." Second-rower Kirk Reynoldson is another to be making his way to the exit at the Dragons.Reynoldson, who joined St George Illawarra this year after a contract dispute ended his time with Newcastle, will retire at the end of the season.
© 2008 Illawarra Mercury