| Michael Cooke | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Michael Cooke | ||
| Date of birth | 17 December 1953 | ||
| 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 | |||
Michael Cooke (born 17 December 1953) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
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.