Veteran centre Matt Cooper is determined to settle a new deal with St George Illawarra that will see him remain a Dragon for life.The 31-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Dragons, has revealed his intention to play on until at least the end of 2012.Cooper has been in the red and white for almost 12 years and has no desire to leave his home town of Wollongong, where he has established a clothing business in Crown Street Mall.But the Dragons, who signed Cooper's centre partner Mark Gasnier midway through last year, could be forced to offload the Illawarra junior, with backs Darius Boyd, Jason Nightingale, Kyle Stanley, Peni Tagive and Bronx Goodwin all off contract at the end of next year."It would be disappointing for me to leave for one year," Cooper told the Mercury."I would love to stay here at this great club and be a one-club man for my career."I'm feeling great, the mind's feeling good and after the grand final win I'm just more motivated to go on."The image of Cooper in another NRL jersey would be a sad sight for Dragons fans, however they don't have to worry about him joining a long list of quality Australians in England.The former international has no ambition to finish his career in the English Super League and has all-but ruled out any chance of the move."I had interest a couple of years ago before Wayne [Bennett] came but it was obviously a good decision to stay here," Cooper said."That interest has come and gone now. I have established a good home here for my family."For Cooper, the reality of the club's long-awaited premiership triumph is yet to sink in.Having finally ended a decade-long pursuit, Cooper said he is now more motivated than ever to put on the famous jersey with the big red V."I keep seeing photos of the grand final when we're all sitting around the trophy and it still doesn't seem real," Cooper said."Usually I'm dreading coming back for a hard preseason but this year it was the opposite."Getting the grand final win has motivated me to try and achieve more in the game."