HARD-NOSED Dragons prop Mike Cooper has a message for critics who continue to question whether his side is the real deal: bring it on.
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The 27-year-old has every reason to feel fired up after returning to Dragons training last week fresh from England’s 2-1 Test series win over New Zealand in November.
His career trajectory, in which he’s gone from unknown English recruit to Test player in the space of two seasons, closely mirrors that of the Dragons who went from also-rans to finalists in 2015.
It left egg on the faces of the majority of pundits who tipped the ‘‘soft’’ Dragons to finish in the bottom four or even collect the dreaded wooden spoon under a rookie coach in Paul McGregor.
Their gritty performances, including a golden-point heart-breaker in week one of the finals, ensure the whispers of a soft underbelly won’t follow them into the 2016 season but punters remain unconvinced about their finals chances.
They currently sit 13th in premiership betting behind the likes of Canberra, Penrith, Parramatta, New Zealand and Manly who all failed to make the top eight last season.
Cooper said the disrespect will only serve as motivation this season.
‘‘We’re happy to be called underdogs again,’’ Cooper said.
‘‘People can write us off and they will do as certain so-called experts did last year.
‘‘It just makes them look silly like they did last season.”
While punters are setting a low mark Cooper said the playing group won’t accept mediocrity after restoring pride in the jersey last year.
‘‘All the players that were here last year that played the regular season know there are certain standards that we expect.
‘‘They were mostly driven by Mary but now they’re driven by the players.
“We know what he wants and what we expect from each other as a group.
‘‘All the players that have come into the club know what the standards are to be at the Dragons and what it means to play for this club.’’