Matt Cooper
joins Dragons casualty list

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 Cooper follows Mark Gasnier (quadriceps), Ian Donnelly (hand injury) and Nathan Blacklock (knee) who have also withdrawn this week.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. Simpson hasn't played NRL since the 2000 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