Michael Cooke (footballer)

For other people named Michael Cooke, see Michael Cooke (disambiguation).

Michael Cooke (born 17 December 1953) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL).

Michael Cooke
Personal information
Full name	Michael Cooke
Date of birth	(1953-12-17) 17 December 1953 (age 70)
Original team(s)	Old Carey[1]
Height	189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb)
Position(s)	Forward
Playing career1
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1975	Hawthorn	2 (4)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1975.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Cooke was the first Hawthorn player to make his league debut in a final. Due to indifferent form, full-forward Michael Moncrieff was moved by coach John Kennedy to defence for the 1975 semi-final against North Melbourne at Waverley Oval and Cooke was called up to fill the full-forward position. An Old Carey player, he had put in some impressive performances at full-forward in the reserves, where he teamed up well with his brother, centre half-forward Robert.

Cooke's four goals in the semi-final helped Hawthorn book a spot in the premiership decider, for which he kept his spot in the side.^[2] Cooke struggled in the grand final and was replaced without managing a kick.^[3] He never played another senior game and finished his career at Olinda.

References

1. Holmesby, Russell; Main, Jim (2007). The Encyclopedia Of AFL Footballers. BAS Publishing. ISBN 978-1-920910-78-5.
2. "Michael Cooke". AFL Tables.
3. Griffiths, Richard. "Almanac (Footy) Memoir: Being where the ball ain't!". The Footy Almanac. The Footy Almanac. Retrieved 29 June 2021.