Colbinabbin teen Cooper Hamilton ready to turn rookie lifeline into long AFL career

But just as Cooper’s chances to get on an AFL list were dwindling as the final few names were called for rookie spots, a name he instantly recognised flashed across his phone’s caller ID.

GWS recruitment manager Adrian Caruso.

“It was absolutely surreal, I was sitting there watching the draft, and had my fingers crossed it would happen, but was still pretty nervous,” Cooper said.

“But I get the call from Adrian just before they announce their pick (at pick 11), and my head hit the roof.

“Then about five minutes later, (coach) Leon Cameron gave me a call.

“It’s weird to now have his number saved in my phone.”

The week leading into the draft was a roller coaster of emotion for the Hamilton family, with Cooper and twin brother Hugh eyeing an opportunity at AFL level.

The family, which includes mum Annette, dad Tait and older brothers Josh and Will, knew night one of the AFL Draft (which consists of first round picks) was unlikely, so turned their attention towards night two.

But as the picks came and went without either of boys’ name called, the nerves intensified.

What was worse was the two Coopers who went that night: Cooper Murley and Cooper Whyte, the latter of which was picked with the second last pick of the night.

“You almost experience the high of getting picked, before realising it’s not you,” Cooper said.

The defender, whose elite endurance saw him blitz the 2km time trial at the Vic Country draft combine with a sub-six-minute time, had spoken to 14 clubs throughout the year leading into the draft, though only half a dozen kept in consistent contact with the teen.

Despite the interest, Cooper admitted he was far from confident going into the draft any of those clubs, including the Giants, would take him.

“They didn’t seem to have the picks to get me; they weren’t in the pick range I was projected at,” he said.

“And they had academy prospects other clubs would bid on, so they’d have to match the bids.”

But alas, Cooper was given his chance, making him the sole Bendigo Pioneers representative to take the step up to the elite level this year.

That fact, coupled with his own selection meant the whole draft experience was bittersweet, with several of his teammates, including brother Hugh, missing out.

“I would have put some before me, so I’m disappointed they didn’t go,” he said.

“And Hugh didn’t go, when he was a red-hot chance to go.

“It’s hard to be happy, I’m still gutted for him as well.”

Formerly of Rochester High School, Cooper and Hugh spent their final two years of secondary school as boarding students at Caulfield Grammar.

It did not go entirely to plan either, with the COVID-19 pandemic limiting their opportunities to spend the full two years soaking up their experience.

“It was disappointing, Hugh and I were really keen to go there and play in the footy program; that was why we were there, to play footy,” he said.

“And I ended up playing three games over the two years.

“I wouldn’t say it wasn’t worth it, but it was almost a waste of time in that sense."

Without football, it was at the boarding house where Cooper’s fondest memories stem from, bonding with other people who were in similar situations; moving from country towns to the city to play football.

Cooper expects his move to Sydney to feel like boarding school all over again.

There, at Sydney Olympic Park, he will reunite with several Pioneers players, including Brent Daniels and Jarrod Brander, as well as his former coach Damien Truslove, who has taken on the club’s VFL team ahead of the 2022 season.

“I’ve already been messaged by a fair few people, so it’s been pretty welcoming already,” Cooper said.

“It’s a great club and I can’t wait to get started there.”

Following in the footsteps of two Pioneers players last year to earn rookie spots with AFL lists, including Cohuna’s Josh Treacy, Cooper said he would take inspiration from their journeys as he looked to give himself the best chance to succeed in the AFL system.

“Josh and Jack (Ginninvan), they had similar circumstances to me last year, they were gutted when they didn’t go in the normal draft,” Cooper said.

“But then, you look at what they’ve done; Treacy has played most games all season (with Fremantle), and Ginny played the last five (with Collingwood).

“(After the national draft) I was disappointed, but I thought there is always a way and those boys showed it doesn’t matter if you’re picked up in the national draft or the rookie draft, there is always a chance for you to come in and make an impact. They are idols in that sense.”

Now, Cooper will undoubtedly become an inspiration himself for those who come after him.

Especially in his own backyard, Colbinabbin, a community Cooper hopes he can make proud in the years to come.

“You’ve always got the Colbo community, they’ve always got my back, and they’re proud of everything I do,” he said.

“It almost gives me this sense that I want achieve things to make them proud.”

Cooper said it was during the 2019 Heathcote and District Football League grand final where he fully realised the might and power of the Colbinabbin as a football club and community.

“Hugh and I were playing seniors, and we ended up going all the way to the grand final and losing to North Bendigo,” Cooper said.

“But when I was there, it felt like the MCG; there was a million people, it was pretty crazy.

“I was frustrated and disappointed we lost, but it was still unbelievable, the amount of support we got.

“You talk about the Colbo community; the support they showed the team, it felt like we were a big city.”

But as his new life as an AFL player begins, the whirlwind experience continues, with Cooper promptly boarding a plane to Sydney ahead of his first team training session.

He was on the same plane as the Giants’ first pick, Finn Callaghan, and the pair will share a self-contained apartment alongside the club’s two other picks, Leek Aleer and Josh Fahey.

Easing into life in the harbour town, Cooper will complete a three-week block of training before returning home for Christmas.

His parents will jet up to Sydney in the new year for a visit, with the club hosting the parents of all their newest draftees.

As for how Cooper plans to tackle the next phase of his football career, the Colbinabbin teen said he would leave nothing in the tank when it came to extending his time at GWS.

“Obviously to play a game in the AFL is the top of the list (of goals),” he said.

“But it’s pretty much getting in there and using everything that is there, and making myself into the best footballer I can be.

“They always say, you’ve got to ‘go at the program’, and make the most of the opportunity you’ve been given.

“So that in 12 months, if say I was delisted, I can say I gave it absolutely everything I had when I was there, and I had the best time.”