LIKE everyone else, Lucas Cook had heard all about Messrs Gaff, Liberatore, Prestia and Wallis, the nucleus of Vic Metro’s dominant midfield.
While respectful of the quartet’s undoubted talent, Cook didn’t subscribe to the general theory that the ‘fab four’ would prove the downfall of Vic Country.
Cook and his teammates resolve in their ability to rise to the challenge was underlined as Country registered a seven goal win in the opening match of the AFL Under 18 National Championships for the respective teams last Sunday at the MCG.
“It was great to get a win on the board against Metro, they were touted as a pretty highly rated side. All the boys were pretty excited,” Cook said.
“We knew they had a high calibre midfield, but we also knew it was about how we would gel together as a group as well.
“We didn’t touch too much on the Metro boys too much before the game. We focused on what we wanted to do and achieve as a group, it was a really good effort considering the time we’ve had together.”
Country had many key components to its success, but few greater than Cook, the powerful marking, accurate kicking key forward from North Ballarat.
Cook said he wasn’t concerned not to be starting on the ground. He noted Country had three key forwards and for team balance in the prevailing slippery conditions against Metro not all of them could start.
When summoned into action Cook made a telling statement. Not long after he came on to the ground, Cook, in a dynamic second quarter burst, Cook kicked three goals to ignite Country.
Cook finished with five goals among his 20-possession, seven mark game, an outstanding contribution in such a critical match.
Modestly, Cook down played his own role preferring to concentrate on the work rate of his teammates to provide him with so many opportunities.
“It was good delivery. I was just happy to grab a couple,” Cook said.
“It was great that we got on a bit of a roll in the second quarter and continued to play good football. I was reasonably happy with my performance, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself.
“I’m just going to continue to do the team things and contribute as much as I can. Really, I’m going to take it one game at a time, just concentrate on what’s in front of me, not look too far in the future.”
Last Modified on 15/06/2010 11:45