Ed Cooke

Recruited from Vermont in Melbourne's outer east, Ed Cooke was a dangerous small forward who managed to hit the scoreboard with impressive regularity during his fragmented VFL career. Joining a North Melbourne outfit that struggled for competitiveness during the late 1920s, he showed immediate promise as a goal-kicking option who could capitalize on limited forward entries. Despite his natural attacking instincts—evidenced by a career return of nearly a goal a game—he found it difficult to cement a permanent spot in the senior lineup, managing just a solitary appearance in 1930 and spending the entire 1931 season out of the side. He fought his way back for a brief recall in 1932 to add a handful of games to his tally, ultimately leaving Arden Street as a depth player who made the most of his few opportunities in front of goal.