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Matt Cooper

Harold Matthews fullback Matt Cooper has created history by becoming the first Knights' player to score six tries in a match and potentially the first junior representative player to achieve the feat in over four decades.    

Based on records from the NSWRL dating back to 1998, Cooper is the only player with a six-try haul to his name.

There have been a large number of five-try efforts in the junior ranks since then from the likes of Luke Burt, Michael Jennings and Jarryd Hayne, but never a six-try effort.   

In fact, looking back further and talking to a number of stats people across the game, Cooper's try scoring feat could be an all-time record, as the first ever Harold Matthews player to snare six tries in one match since the competition's inception back in 1970. 

On the back of the fullback's amazing performance, the Knights' Harold Matthews side charged to a comprehensive 52-12 victory against St George on Saturday.   

From a Club perspective, Cooper's six-try haul is definitely a Club record.  

Knights' Community Development Officer Laurie Clifton has been at the Club since 1991 and he says he can't ever recall a player scoring six tries. 

Clifton remembers Owen Cragie scoring four tries against Manly in the SG Ball ranks in the mid-90s, while winger Aku Uate also regularly scored four-try hauls during his junior representative days.

However, no Newcastle player has ever scored six and that includes the NRL ranks.

Six players in Darren Albert, Adam MacDougall, Andrew Johns, Cooper Vuna, Aku Uate and James McManus currently hold the Club's top grade record for most tries in a match with four.   

While in all-time premiership history, Glebe's Frank Burge holds the record for most tries in one match with an eight-try haul way back in 1920. 

Since then, there has been one seven-try performance recorded (Rod O'Loan for Easts in 1935) and another half-a-dozen six-try efforts since.

It's historical evidence that puts Cooper in elite company, no matter the grade. 

Recent five-try hauls:

Faleula Finau (Balmain) – Round 5, 2009

Jacob Miller (Newtown) – Round of 16, 2009

Mark Nofoaluma (Western Suburbs) – Rd 1, 2011

Tuatua Moga (Sydney Roosters) – Rd 8, 2011

Jake Hourne (Newcastle) – Rd 7, 2012

Lloyd Perrett (Sydney Roosters) – Semi Final, 2012

Reubenn Rennie (Melbourne Storm) – Rd 5, 2013

Mark Griffiths (Parramatta) – Preliminary Final, 2013

Simon Williams (Newcastle) - Rd 9, 2007

 

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