St George Dragons great Matt Cooper reveals why he didn’t attend 2010 NRL grand final reunion

St.George Dragons legend Matt Cooper skipped out on the club 2010 grand final reunion saying he would’ve caused trouble with a former CEO and unnamed teammate – suggesting on Twitter that he would reveal all about his nasty retirement next year.

Cooper, 43, was a key centre in the side’s 2010 premiership season, where he played all 13 years of his career with the Red V club.

Matt Cooper of the Dragons celebrates winning the 2010 NRL Grand Final with a club support staff member

Playing alongside young guns Brett Morris and Darius Boyd, the 13-game Blue enjoyed great success at the Illawarra club. 

Yet, 12 years on from a milestone year, Cooper opted to stay away from reunion celebrations to avoid causing trouble with former CEO Peter Doust and a mystery squad member. 

‘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,’ Cooper posted to Twitter. 

One follower replied ‘would of been a good opportunity to be the bigger man and ignore said people.’

Cooper responded, writing ‘not if you knew what Doust did to me’.

Former St. George CEO Peter Doust (L) and coach Wayne Bennett (C) during a press conference where Bennett announced his decision to leave in 2011

Doust stood down from his executive position in 2018 after 18 years with the club while Cooper retired at the end of the 2013 season and struggled with a painkiller addiction when falling out of the game.

The Australian centre played 243 games with St. George and was emotional in his retirement press conference where Doust was by his side. 

‘He has been a significant role model and in particular, a vivid example of our local junior development programs and an inspiration for rugby league players in our region,’ Doust said at the time. 

Matt Cooper awaits the ball from a Jeremy Smith offload during the 2010 NRL Grand Final

During his career, Cooper and Doust were seemingly good friends and had a strong working relationship, which led the CEO to become the longest serving club executive in NRL history.

Reportedly Doust promised the centre a job with the Dragons post-retirement, but backed out on the deal shortly after. 

Back in October during the Dragons end of season awards night, Cooper took a stab at the club’s poor culture.

‘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 tweeted.

In reference to the uncapped player Cooper tweeted of, it is up for speculation.

Dragons fans hoist high an ‘Oust Doust’ sign during the 2015 NRL season as the club began to collapse in form and management

Former Dragons CEO Peter Doust was eventually ousted from the club – and it’s clear there is some discontent between he and Cooper 

Former Dragons centre Kyle Stanley was apart of the 2010 roster but did not play in the grand final.

He now has a role in St. George’s junior pathways system with brother Chase.

Cooper made a cameo appearance on Channel Seven’s Big Brother VIP after his earlier stints on Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice. 

The ex-edge player is working towards an MMA career and is good friends with UFC no.1 pound-for-pound fighter Alex Volkanovski.