Graeme Cook

A talented dual-sport athlete who captained the Australian Under-19 cricket team on a tour of the West Indies, Cook chose to pursue football at the elite level, establishing himself as a smart half-back flanker at the Western Oval. After breaking into the senior side in 1971, he enjoyed a standout 1972 campaign where he utilised his impressive endurance and reading of the play to feature in 18 games. However, his promising VFL career was cut short by wanderlust; he departed the league at just 23 to travel overseas—spending time working as a shepherd on an Israeli kibbutz—and although later sounded out by coach Bob Rose for a return, he opted to conclude his playing days in the VFA with Yarraville.