Another Cook in the SANFL Kitchen

By PETER ARGENT

Over a tough period at the back end of the season for the Woodville-West Torrens Eagles, one of the big positives has been the emergence of teenage small defender, Jack Cook.

Fresh from being one of the leaders in South Australia’s Under-18s title-winning side this year, Cook has moved straight into Hostplus SANFL League ranks.

“The opportunity presented itself straight after the champs, and Jack has fitted in seamlessly,” Eagles senior coach Sam Jacobs confirmed.

“We have used him as a small defender and he has already proved to be a good all-round footballer.

“His attack on the ball is strong and he’s a good competitor.

“Jack is a well-rounded player with an excellent balance of attacking instincts and defensive accountability.”

Jack Cook comes from football stock, as Uncle Peter was an accomplished country footballer with North Clare, who won a Mail Medal in the North Eastern Football League competition as a 15-year-old.

Dad, Tim, the current Physiotherapist at the Adelaide Crows, was a member of the 1991 Teal Cup winning South Australian side and travelled to Ireland to play the hybrid game in national colours that year as well.

He had a long and successful SANFL career with Central District and North Adelaide.

A rover/half-forward at the age of 17, Tim Cook made his SANFL League debut for Central District late in season 1991 against South Adelaide.

He first represented South Australia in 1996, then was drafted to Port Adelaide in preparation for their inaugural season into the AFL in 1997.

Subsequently, Tim was traded to Adelaide where he made his AFL debut in Round 2 of the 1997 season against Richmond.

He played four AFL games in that season then a further four in 1998 while returning to Central District in between.

With that chapter of his AFL career over, he settled in as vice-captain of Central District in 1999.

At Central District between 1991-2000, Tim Cook played 117 SANFL games, kicking 138 goals before being squeezed out of the League team by the end of the club’s breakthrough inaugural premiership year.

Moving to the North Adelaide Roosters in 2001, across the next five years he played 89 games, kicking a further 31 goals.

A dedicated and most popular club person, Tim became an Assistant Coach at North in 2007 and was the team’s runner in 2009.

He had also been a handy young cricketer playing A grade for the Salisbury District Club and making the State Under 17s team.

A qualified physiotherapist, he continued to serve the Adelaide Football Club.

Tim was made a Life Member of Central District in 2000, and a Player Life Member of the SANFL in 2006.

Jack Cook, along with being a leader in this year’s title-winning SA Under 18s title-winning team, has joined fellow U18  Croweaters Sam Cumming (North), Bayln O’Brien (Norwood), Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (North) and skipper Dyson Sharp (Central) in playing Hostplus SANFL League football since the championships.

“Winning the state champs this year was awesome,” Cook smiled.

“Playing in the Eagles’ SANFL Under 18s premiership last year was pretty special as well.

“I’m vice-captain to Aidan Turner (an EP lad playing at Norwood) at Immanuel College.

“… and was co-vice-captain with Sam Cumming at state level.

“The intensity of SANFL league football is a step up on National Under 18s as well.

“I turned 18 on the Wednesday (before my first game) and ‘Sauce’ ( Sam Jacobs) called me on the Thursday to tell me I was playing in my first league game.

“So, I was 18 years and three days when I played that first game against Adelaide Crows.

“(My) First touch was a handball from Liam Puncher, where I kicked to half forward Deakan Jackson and he kicked a goal.

“Dad still tells me he has bragging rights, as he was 17 when he played his inaugural league match at Central District.”

With his strong performances during national championships and during his handful of games at league level, Cook has been selected to participate in the South Australian state screening of the AFL National Draft Combine on Saturday, October 11.

Once his SANFL League commitments finish after Sunday’s game against North, Cook will also be available for Woodville-West Torrens’ Under 18 first semi-final clash with Central District which starts the SANFL Under 18s finals series on Saturday, August 30.

Also a handy cricketer who played up to West Torrens Under 16s Reds, Jack was a bowling all-rounder, a left-arm seam-up medium fast bowler and right-hand batter.