Cooper

Carlton has enjoyed two different Jack Coopers in our VFL/AFL history. This one - John Sylvester (Jack) Cooper, is identified by his middle initial for distinction between the two.

A very capable, straight-shooting full-forward, Cooper came to the Blues from West Australian club Subiaco in 1947 at the age of 24. In a year that would bring the Carlton Football Club our eighth Premiership (and our second in three years), he scored an impressive nine goals in just three games, then surprised the club by packing up and returning to his home state before the half-way point of the season.

Carlton unveiled Jack S. in the round 4 match of 1947, against Footscray at Princes Park. Wearing guernsey number 19, the tall, wiry Cooper kicked just one of Carlton’s 16 goals in an emphatic 54 point win by the Blues. He was left out of the side for the next game against Essendon (which the Blues duly won by 27 points, at Windy Hill) but returned for round 6 against St Kilda at the Junction Oval.

On that cool, dry Saturday afternoon, Carlton clicked into top gear to thrash the Saints by 102 points in a goal-fest for the Blues. ‘Chooka’ Howell dominated the ruck to give rovers Herb Turner and Fred Stafford first use of the ball. In turn, they provided silver-service delivery to the forwards as Carlton nailed 23 goals for the game. Turner and Stafford each got three, centre half-forward Ken Baxter booted four, and Cooper impressed with six. On that Saturday night, Carlton sat on top of the VFL ladder with a percentage of 161.3.

Seven days on, the Blues consolidated their position with another strong win against a brave but under-manned North Melbourne at Princes Park. The final margin was 19 points in favour of Carlton in a game remembered for the dominance of Bert Deacon at centre half-back, and Ken Baxter’s second successive haul of four goals. Cooper notched two majors, then stunned club officials when he told them that his VFL career was over, and that he intended to return home to Western Australia immediately.

Image From: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/38565236

Footnote

Jack Cooper topped the Subiaco goal kicking list for 1945 with 43 goals from 16 games.
Jack Cooper wearing a Carlton jumper is pictured at training in the Mercury June 14 1951 (p23) playing for Clarence. Mentioned as an ex Carlton Seconds player, Clarence full forward back in 1949.