Gavin Cooper and Benji Marshall will create history on Sunday, becoming the first players to celebrate reaching the 300-game milestone on the same day.
North Queensland Cowboys forward Cooper will take the field first against the Roosters, at Central Coast Stadium, before Wests Tigers play-maker Marshall follows in the next game, against the Eels at Bankwest Stadium.
Cooper commenced his professional rugby league career in 2006 with the Cowboys, before stints with the Gold Coast Titans and the Penrith Panthers.
He returned to the Cowboys in 2011 and had an immediate impact, awarded the Cowboys’ Club Person of the Year for his on-field efforts and off-field community work.
In 2015, Cooper and the Cowboys triumphed to win North Queensland’s inaugural NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final, and then went on to win the World Club Championship against the Leeds Rhinos in February 2016.
Cooper has also had success as the Cowboys’ Club Captain, as well as being a Queensland Origin player (2016 – 18) and part of the 2013 Australian Prime Minister’s XIII team.
Marshall commenced his professional playing career in 2003, starting with the Wests Tigers and winning a Premiership in 2005, before going on to play for St George Illawarra Dragons and Brisbane Broncos.
Marshall re-joined the Tigers in 2018 and is currently the Club’s third most-capped player in history.
Amongst a host of accolades, he has enjoyed Four Nations and World Cup success for New Zealand, was honoured as the Golden Boot winner in 2010 and was named the Rugby League International Federation’s five-eighth of the year in 2009 and 2011.
NRL Chief Executive Todd Greenberg congratulated both players and wished them well on this historic occasion.
“There are less than 40 players who have ever reached the 300-game milestone, so to be celebrating two players on the same day is quite remarkable,” Mr Greenberg said.
“What you see is what you get with Gavin and Benji – incredibly gifted athletes and selfless in their behaviours amongst local communities.
“They are role models for the next generation of rugby league players, having learnt to balance success on the field and responsibility off it, and both players should feel very proud of their individual achievements.
“I look forward to watching the remainder of their seasons this year and wish them well in their matches today.”
Cooper will be presented with his 300-game match ball by NRL Head of Football Elite Competitions Graham Annesley, whilst Marshall will be presented with his 300 game match ball by Greenberg.
For the full list of 300 Club members, please click here
