Vale Fred Cook VFA Legend

R.I.P. VFA Legend Fred Cook.
(video tribute)
Excerpts from the Fred Cook goal collection on the VFAFOOTY KZbin channel.

[@alanlane3670]

I was stationed at HMAS Lonsdale in Port Melbourne in 1971...went to many Port home games....went into Port clubrooms after a match and Fred welcomed us and was very friendly..will never forget this champion......R.I.P. Fred

[@davidyole915]

What a great pleasure it was watching the VFA on Channel 10 as a boy. Freddy was an absolute icon. All teams and their supporters marvelled at his skills and his charisma. Freddy what a champion you were. RIP

[@Sandyzebs0616]

Fred cook he made the VFA football were we are today in the a true champion at port melbourne football club in the sport he has touched so many players clubs past and present and all supporters enjoy watching a true legend play he will be sadly missed RIP✝️

[@peterharris4386]

I agree, I'm just surprised he never went back to the VFL. He had the ability

[@westnblu]

@@peterharris4386 because back then the VFA was very much a rival to VFL . Difficult for todays generation to appreciate the real suburban rivalry VFA encompassed every bit as passionate as the VFL . I was an Oakleigh boy and when Port Melbourne came to town u know u were gonna be in for a treat to put it mildly haha, .Big Bob Johnson was my hero back then but even rival supporters respected and knew of the gr8 Peter Cook .

[@peterharris4386]

@@westnblu I know... But Fred would have had more opportunities in the VFL. Really? I'm Oakleigh boy too...👍

[@peterharris4386]

@@westnblu I remember as a kid, standing behind the goals of the Warrigal road end, watching Big Bob Johnson take a mark, and instead of walking back to take his kick, like a conventional forward, he would kick it over his head, while facing away from the goals.

[@westnblu]

@@peterharris4386 no1 beats the Oakleigh boys when they come out to play!! When Oakleigh won the grand final all the shops had streamers and flags and balloons. It was a big deal. haha. Miss those times alas we took it all for granted.

[@victoryfollower4078]

Rest In Peace Fred. An under appreciated legend of the game.

[@nunziorose1749]

The good old days. VFL football on Saturday afternoon and VFA football Sunday afternoon. RIP Fred.

[@yiannisgeorge3781]

as a kid I watch Fred play as the ruckman for Yarraville. I played in the juniors at the time and my dream was to play like Cooky. You were an inspiration to all young boys who loved footy. RIP great man. You will be missed by many a football supporter.

[@Martin-ly7mz]

Loved the VFA on a Sunday, l loved Port Melbourne and Fred Cook

[@stevecini2964]

Great Days Of The old VFA 1970s 1980s

[@MisterPolitical1]

The vfa from the late 90s onwards are appalling

[@MisterPolitical1]

From 1996 it's called vfl

[@louiskats5116]

The Legend I live in Port Melbourne & work in Port Melbourne the last 25 years. Port Melbourne loved Freddy & last night we had drinks & a tribute to Fred at North Port Hotel in Station Street. Unfortunately Fred's pub the Station Hotel is a house now. Cheers Louis 👍

[@brucemoyle7610]

Wonderful tribute to a giant of the game. There will never be another like him.

[@harrisfrankou2368]

Worked in Port at a couple of Pubs, met a few locals sorry for your loss as a suburb and an Icon of a Club, RIP Legend from my childhood following the Two Blues, everyone new his name. A true legend in Aussie Rules across all Leagues and Associations. RIP Champ

[@sherrin130]

Sad ,such a wonderful draw card ,those Sundays watching VFA on CH10, great times RIP Champ.

[@TheCleaner76]

Dennis Allen sends his regards

[@glenngolding6375]

Now thats what call real football back in the days

[@alancampbell8760]

Enjoyed going to Shepley Oval in Dandy to watch the great rivalry between Port and Dandy. RIP Fred

[@iankearns774]

Sad news, I was a Preston supporter but loved the battles against Port and watching the VFA on TV when I came back from playing juniors in the early 70's. When I got to 14s and played saturdays my Dad started to take me to the odd game at Cramer Street or to Coburg now and then. Saw him play a few times.RIP Legend.

[@orgasmified]

Fred was a top player.

[@ayrsen123]

R.I.P Fred. Had the pleasure of serving you drinks at Yarraville. As a past player they were free and you didn't muck around lol. The other thing I love about the footage is the old advertising. Winnie Reds.(my fave) Ardath (crap). Escort (so-so). Craven A. Tarax lemonade. AWA TV's. Golden Crumpets. B&D Roller Doors. Statewide Building Society. The Sunday Observer. Herbert Adam's Pies and a heap more. You could take a plastic baby-bath full of ice and a load of long-necks and watch great footy. They really were the good old days !!!

[@MisterPolitical1]

Fred cook's days are the heyday of borough's era

[@markwalder3142]

Great football player , even better man. Had the luxury to get to know him, would do anything for anyone. .RIP champ! Thanks Gezza

[@tubester4567]

I went to every Port home game from about 1975, Fred was huge. Im surprised he lasted this long considering his addictions.

[@andrewsmith4854]

A true port Melbourne football club legend l enjoyed watching you rip fred

[@mihali6164]

I loved Port Melbourne aka the Borough, but loved Freddy even more. What a legend he was, such sad news RIP Freddy you champion!!

[@Wandafulofit]

I was a huge fan of Freddie from the age of 9 back in the day, all through the 70s.... Thanks so much for posting this Gezza He doesn't even rate a mention when you Google him except for in Wiki Very sad....

[@patkelly6349]

Very strong mark. A legend in the vfa. Great football days

[@mrsgritoli1]

Thanks for posting. RIP Freddy.

[@johnedwards7899]

A great player, a great bloke. R.I.P. Fred.

[@thatwasmymistake]

Loved the "slo-mo on O" to describe the action reply!

[@danrobinson572]

R.I.P. Fred

[@pjjarmain4475]

Should be in the Hall of Fame

[@thatwasmymistake]

If they let Ablett snr in, Freddie Cook ought to be there too.

[@pjjarmain4475]

@@thatwasmymistake and Wayne Carey and John Nichols etc

[@Melbournelost66]

The Sunday afternoon watching channel O later ten VFA broadcast with Phil Gibbs, Ted Henries and Don Hyde. Saw many a game with the great Fred Cook and what about the theme "It's Sunday for the VFA" which came out at a time when Up There Cazaly came out, with Fred playing a starring role. .And there was another theme that Hawthorn put out after the 78 GF victory called "See the Hawks See them Fly" advertised circa 79 on TV. Never seen it uploaded on KZbin???? RIP Fred Cook VFA great!

[@rexkyte696]

Fred you will be severely missed RIP you champion

[@andrewgoldbergs4474]

Brilliant goalkicker..unique "soft boot"technique. Goals came in all conditions and angles were handled with skill. Some similarities with Peter Mc Kenna's playing style..ironically they played together at Port for a few seasons.

[@user-oi9to7ux7k]

Did you get a chance to see him play?

[@andrewgoldbergs4474]

@@user-oi9to7ux7k Yes. Saw him play home and away games and finals both live at grounds and on Channel 0/10. Also a decorated VFA rep.player for over a decade. In his prime a match winner..however had inaccurate days too and had trouble with a few very close checking full backs. Gordon Towan of Preston was one.

[@archiethree]

Great halcyon days of the VFA on Sunday arvo, Rexy Hunt up one end for the Zebras and Freddy Cook up the other end goals galore. R.I.P Fred Cook.

[@MisterPolitical1]

I hate sandringham zebras

[@darylcumming7119]

A VFA Legend , RIP.

[@AussieOutlaw]

Awesome stuff mate

[@victoryline5689]

Loved the Persian rugs but was an absolute start 👌🏼

[@Yotsukaido]

Rest In Peace to a VFA icon.

[@wotzupdoc1]

Fred Cook. Legend..

[@blahblahblah8911]

I can recall watching him play for the Burra's in Port Melbourne. Probably about 10yo, we'd run on to the ground at three quarter time and get a piece of orange (probably one of the few pieces of fruit during the week) then try to get to the sheds after the game for the team song. Kids these days don't get to experience running on to the ground during the breaks or getting close to the players. They always seemed larger than life to a kid but these guys never dismissed us or pushed us away.

[@secysb2910]

Thanks Gezza 👍

[@NewFalconerRecords]

Rock Star.

[@geofftoughill]

Bloody good bloke.

[@brandonlee1330]

All true what said ,he was all for kids ,mate every kid wanted to be Fred ,,,he taught me stab pass ,out front station hotel when Jack Mooney had pub Fred later had station for bit there ,then think mecena took over ,look some stats they will never be matched ,,so happy named Fred cook end

[@brandonlee1330]

Players gettn million dollars can't kick goal 20 metres in front

[@brandonlee1330]

So underrated how they never had him playing VFL got me stuffed

[@brandonlee1330]

Mate one handed mark ,but his ankle never same never forget that day

[@brandonlee1330]

Have look Sheila they good sorts

[@brandonlee1330]

God bless ya Fred never had bad word say about any other player

[@stevecini2964]

I Remember Watching Werribee Tigers 1970s Great Days

[@sonshi12nsp]

Seriously good mark but his kicking was suspect iif over 25m out

[@o8thman812]

When the Station doors closed for the night that's when the fun started... Carn the Boroughs...

[@brandonlee1330]

Ha ha the parlour upstairs station ,yeah if those walls had ears ,half bitten chewed up ones on acaion,, Gentle Giant, hated seeing fights over stupid things ,,,and no we don't play new Zealand rules here game pool ,,,never forget hearing that ,first time heard it ,get blow in ,have bit to much upset heap locals ,,Fred have taxi waiting act like hugging bloke one arm ,blokes feet not touching ground ,wasn't fighter he was a lover 🤣😂he didn't like see anyone in pain or doin it hard ,,last time ran into each other in Seaford think had unit down there ,he hadn't seen me since I was about 13 he new name first and last as soon as I was in eye shot ,,said gee looking like old man ,we probably talked 20 min ,reakon we must rattled off over hundred funnest blokes to ever drink port ,any pub ,port had characters,that I have yet see hear anywhere else Melbourne,must been something in the water ,yeah he my hero ,I been away I did not even no he passed until read posts ,,I don't watch tv I don't see anyone port or south ,yeah gezza this hard pill swollow as ya no I was kid out front station hotel asking every piss pot play kick kick me ,I had yellow plastic football sandy fc give out crossed that out had Fred on one side go burrahs on other ,,my stab passers that on beer gut poor piss pot lose lunch ,only put in hard when they were trying take my head off ,yes Fred very clear that I was not use his take wind out ya drop ya stab past on older crowd ,old herb hit me with one the fastest power stab pass ,he would had been close 80 this was port ball waterlogged looked like watermelon ,,that end stab pass me stab pass well VFL by early 80,s never see stab pass ,just bloody hand balls ,look way Fred line up kick goal steps take ,,plugger for one very simaler Jacko other ,not saying there exactly same ,must been doing something right ,thinkn beer ciggie half time ,,RIP FRED SEEN ME DAD BEFORE PASSED SAID WRITING BOOK ,YEAH LOVE READ IT IF DID GOD BLESS ,what a lovely bloke ,win grand final spend five min naming all good players on otherside ,never seen it before never see it again if up Fred both teams win 🤣😂🤔

[@gmarshall1026]

When football was football not like crap the AFL dish up to day

[@MisterPolitical1]

The AFL from the late 2000s are appalling

[@MisterPolitical1]

The vfa days are king just like vfl

[@allenchuckling6844]

On Ya Fred not even a fucken mention about Fabulous Fred’s passing up here in Sydney 💪💪

[@danrobinson572]

Fred looks way taller the 6 feet 2.

[@Skye-md5pt]

Fred you should have stayed away from the drugs and you may have lived longer.

[@MegaOrwell84]

I really miss the old VFA. if things get back to "normal" this year I vow to go to as many borough games and buy a membership. I also want to attend the local club Altona in the Western league. I am sick of the AFL. Less support for AFL Corporate teams such as the Giants more for local leagues and a state wide Tasmania team.

[@myopinion138]

RIP if he was so good why didnt he play for the VFL?

[@MisterPolitical1]

The vfa was from 1877 till 1995 & it was called vfl from 1996 onwards

[@MisterPolitical1]

Vfl from 1897 till 92 years later & from 1990 it's called afl

[@thatwasmymistake]

He played a couple of season at Footscray but was offered more money to play at Yarraville in the VFA then at Port before finishing up at Moorabbin. When North Melbourne were looking to recruit him I'm the 70s, story was Footscray wouldn't clear him to play for another club.

[@leongt1954]

Freddy's downfall came after football when he got mixed up with drug dealer Mr Death Dennis Alan but while he was playing football he was good for the VFA

[@MisterPolitical1]

One of the boroughs g.o.a.t.

[@dalediamond]

Freds cooked.

[@mjames4709]

Big personality with an even bigger ego.

[@gustaaf1892]

You can respect the man as a player, but don't make him out to be more than he was. He was also a drug addict and a criminal who hung out with some of the worst and most murderous low-lives Australia has ever known. It added to his reputation as being a colourful character, which endeared him to many people, but not to me.

[@janewray-mccann2133]

So phucken what? I went to seven shithead schools in those day's and I gaurantee you cock, that Every second person I ever knew in Melbourne in those blue collar/white collar criminal times was either a pisshead, druggie or deadset crook. Nothing has changed except for the Catholic priest's finally getting exposed for their life long peadophilia addictions. A fine footballer and flamboyant Port boy who played for the piss only and to make the kid's smile. Rest in port Fred. Rory, Queenstown.

[@louiskats5116]

The Legend I live in Port Melbourne & work in Port Melbourne the last 25 years. Port Melbourne loved Freddy & last night we had drinks & a tribute to Fred at North Port Hotel in Station Street. Unfortunately Fred's pub the Station Hotel is a house now. Cheers Louis 👍