Cooper Jenkins is enjoying the most settled streak in his young career as he prepares for Norths’ Fathers’ Day finals showdown with Redcliffe at Bishop Park tomorrow.
The qualifying final will be Jenkins’ 18th consecutive match for the Devils, continuing a streak that has the 23-year-old in the sights of NRL clubs.
Jenkins had a delayed start to his Devils career when a fractured sternum kept him out of the early rounds of this year’s Hostplus Cup.
He had been injured while completing a strong NRL pre-season with the Dolphins last summer, earning a trial match before his Devils debut.
Since then, Jenkins has been in good form for the Devils, continuing a rugby league career that only began after a concerted campaign to convince his parents to let him play for the Morpeth Bulls Under 8s in NSW.
“Mum and Dad (Rana and Bill) weren’t really sure if I should play but I just kept asking and they eventually agreed. Dad took me into the yard and taught me how to tackle properly and I went from there,” Jenkins said.
Dad Bill was a strong prop in the Dubbo first-grade competition but his son forged a name in the outside backs, using the speed that had him rated among the fastest children in the nation.
Jenkins won a medal in the national 200m title for his age when in primary school.
He played on the wing for the NSW Under 16 team in 2017 in a team featuring the likes of Bradman Best, Ben Trbojevic and Josh Schuster against a Queensland team including Jenkins’ Devils teammates tomorrow in Tesi Niu and Zach Brooks.
But Jenkins moved into the forward pack the following season, earning selection in an Australian Schoolboys team that featured current NRL players Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sam Walker, Brendan Piakura and Toby Sexton.
An ankle injury impacted that campaign, sparking a run of bad luck that included a knee reconstruction and ankle injury, limiting Jenkins to 22 NSW Cup matches with Newcastle over the last three years.
“My first-grade coach in Newcastle knew (Devils CEO) Troy Rovelli and he said Norths were a really good club and suggested we have a chat about any opportunities here,” Jenkins said.
“It’s been a really good move for me. I’ve really enjoyed the year and playing with such a good group.
“I’m really excited about this game tomorrow. It’s going to be physical and it’s going to be fun.”
The Devils will host the match after claiming second place with a slight points differential over Redcliffe.
Coach Dave Elliott is happy with his team’s progress this week after a last-round loss to Sunshine Coast.
“Games between Norths and Redcliffe always bring out the best in both teams so this should be a really good contest,” Elliott said.
“We know Redcliffe are a very good team and we’re looking forward to taking them on.”
