Cooney, 22, said it was disappointing West that wouldn't be part of the team in September after the veteran had tentatively moved towards a senior recall with a VFL appearance last week.
But after suffering serious pain throughout the match and then realising last Wednesday the injury was too severe to bear in finals football, West pulled the pin on his season.
"It's really disappointing for him and for the guys," Cooney said.
"He's been around for so long and he's given his all to this club, and for him to not be playing for the rest of year is really disappointing for the guys.
"But having said that, we've managed without him all year, so we'll keep going with that."
Coach Rodney Eade agreed with Cooney that West's absence was one the players had grown accustomed to this season, and was pleased with the development in the side's midfield that was once built around the seven-time best and fairest winner.
"Certainly [we'll miss] a guy of his experience with his toughness and ball-winning ability, but we haven't had him there most of the year," Eade said.
"Some players have stepped up this year in that role, and it's marvellous the opportunities that have been created and the players have grabbed that."
Cooney, along with Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross and Dylan Addison (before he suffered a knee injury of his own in round 17), have been players to stand up in West's absence.
Cooney said the decision on West's future beyond this year would be made later this year, but believed if the veteran could get his body right he could possibly play on.
This week the Bulldogs face a tough task with a trip over the border to meet Adelaide at AAMI Stadium. History is on the side of the Crows, having reigned supreme over the Dogs at the South Australian venue since round 11, 2001.
And, with a potential top-four position on the line for Adelaide, as well as a much-desired home final, the Crows are set to rebound from their disappointing show against St Kilda.
"They're playing for a finals spot at home, so it's going to be on," Cooney said.
"We obviously want to keep our form up going into September as well.
"It's starting to get a little bit exciting now, but we've got to get through this week first and we've got a massive game. We'll take it one week at a time."
