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Former St George Illawarra centre Matt Cooper has sent the rumour mill into overdrive after cryptically explaining on social media about his absence at a recent reunion for the 2010 premiership-winning side.
Copper, who played 243 games for the Dragons, apologised through Twitter for missing the event, but managed to raise even more questions surrounding issues with former members of the club.
“I want to apologise to my 2010 premiership team for not attending the 10-12 year reunion,” he tweeted.
“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.”
As per Fox Sports, Cooper sent a follow-up tweet admitting it was the ‘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.”
After further prodding from his followers, Cooper revealed that former CEO Peter Doust is involved.
But who the former player Copper was referring to is still unknown.
Mark Gasnier, Brett Morris, Beau Scott, Michael Weyman Trent Merrin Ben Creagh, Jason Nightingale, Ben Hornby and Jamie Soward all attended. Even former coach Wayne Bennett flew from Queensland from his first pre-season with the Dolphins for the festivities.
The Daily Telegraph spoke to a player who attended the function who said they were “a bit shocked but more saddened” by Cooper’s absence.
“It was noticed that ‘Coops’ wasn’t there,” said the player. “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.”
This isn’t the first social media spray Copper has given his former club. When only three players attended the 2022 awards night, he was quick to comment. “The club has no loyalty and honour anymore. That all stopped when Wayne Bennett left.”