Australian Football

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Key Facts

Full name
Russell Cook

Known as
Russell Cook

Born
23 September 1947 (age 77)

Age at first & last AFL game
First game: 18y 261d
Last game: 27y 334d

Height and weight
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 85 kg

Senior clubs
South Melbourne

Jumper numbers
South Melbourne: 17

Russell Cook

Advanced stats
Club
League
Career span
Games
Goals
Avg
Win %
AKI
AHB
AMK
BV
South MelbourneV/AFL1966-1975164540.3329%12.422.845.2620
Total1966-1975164540.3329%12.422.845.2620

AFL: 7,828th player to appear, 1,105th most games played, 1,976th most goals kickedSouth Melbourne: 921st player to appear, 58th most games played, 143rd most goals kicked

Despite conceding centimetres to most opponents Russell Cook was a highly effective ruckman for South Melbourne between 1966 and 1975 during which he played 164 VFL games and kicked 54 goals. He was also sometimes used, to equivalent effect, at centre half forward where his strong marking ability served him well. Voted the Swans' best and fairest player in 1972 it would probably be reasonable to suggest that he tended to be underrated, but opponents who took such a view would do so at their peril.

Cook was also a fine cricketer who played seven first class games for Victoria.

Author - John Devaney

Sources

Full Points Publications

Footnotes

* Behinds calculated from the 1965 season on.
+ Score at the end of extra time.