RDFL: League best-and-fairest Jason Cooke returns in huge boost to Macedon’s flag defence

BOWEN medallist Jason Cooke has returned to Macedon in a huge boost for the club’s hopes of claiming back-to-back Riddell District Football League premierships.

Jason Cooke reels in a mark for Macedon last year. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

BOWEN medallist Jason Cooke has returned to Macedon in a huge boost for the club’s hopes of claiming back-to-back Riddell District Football League premierships.

Cooke left the Cats after kicking 80 goals from 19 games in 2017, joining Western Region league club St Albans.

He kicked four goals in six games for the WRFL club, playing his last match on June 2 against Spotswood.

Cooke requested a clearance back to Macedon, where he bagged 148 goals in three seasons, on Friday.

His clearance was granted in time for him to feature in the Cats’ 9.5 (59) to 3.10 (28) victory over Melton Centrals on Saturday.

Jason Cooke streams forward for Macedon. Picture: David Smith.

However, he will be unavailable for the next six weeks due to a European holiday, returning in time to play enough matches to qualify for finals.

“He’s actually going overseas this week,” coach Ben Tankard said.

“For him to qualify (for finals) he had to play yesterday and he’ll be back for the last three games.

“It had to be done this week, St Albans agreed to it and we decided to get him back.”

The Cats’ scoring average has dropped from 113 points per game during the regular season last year to 87 points this season, however Cooke’s inclusion will add significant firepower.

He kicked five goals or more in seven matches last year, including a haul of 11 majors against Rockbank.

“We probably have a really strong-edged side but we don’t have a hell of a lot of outside matchwinners that can use the ball really well and hit the scoreboard,” Tankard said.

“He’s going to give us another string to our bow in that department.”

Tankard said the club did not expect Cooke to dominate upon his return from overseas.

“Any player like that you can add around the fringes is only going to help us,” he said.

“It just adds to our depth as well.”

Skipper James Wright, Matt Knox and Chris Kilmartin were the multiple goalkickers for Macedon, which is third at 6-2 after Round 8, in its win over Melton Centrals.

The Cats will be favoured to bank a percentage-boosting win when they face Rockbank in Round 9.