Troy Cook has today announced that season 2007 will be his last in the AFL.

Originally from WAFL club Perth, an outstanding 1996 season saw Cook finish second in the Sandover Medal that year and make the move to the Sydney Swans, drafted in the 1996 draft at Selection 27. He made his AFL debut in Round 3 1997 against Melbourne at the SCG and went on to play 43 games for Sydney before returning back to WA at the end of the 1999 season to join Fremantle. He received a Rising Star nomination in 1997.

He made his debut for Fremantle in round 1 against Geelong at Subiaco Oval in 2000 and to date has played 148 games for the club. He won the club’s Best and Fairest, the Doig Medal, in 2000 in a stellar debut season for Fremantle and in 2005 he received the Best Clubman Award. A noted hard-man around the contests, Troy was the club’s leading tackler in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2005, finishing in the top 10 in the AFL for tackles on three occasions (2000, 2002 and 2003).

Fremantle Chief Executive Officer Cameron Schwab today paid tribute to Troy saying that he has given everything he could possible give each and every time he took the field.

“Troy set an example every time he took the field,” Mr Schwab said.

“He has made the most of his capabilities to etch out a 191-game career to date and he should be proud of what he has achieved over his 11 year career.

“He has put his body on the line at every opportunity and has become a crowd favourite as everyone admired the way he continually was hard at the ball, at times showing no regard for his own safety.

“Troy has been a great person for our club and I am sure that he will approach his post football career with the same fierce determination to succeed as he showed on the football field.

“He has so much to offer,” Mr Schwab said.

Troy has been an outstanding representative of the club both on and off the field, making an outstanding contribution to the Western Australian community. Troy has given selflessly of his time to assist numerous school, indigenous and charity organisations. He is a fantastic contributor to the club’s Community Development Programme assisting junior football clubs and schools. Troy also works with AFL SportsReady as a Field Officer, a position he has occupied for more than five years. His work with indigenous youth through SportsReady has been outstanding. In addition, Troy also assists indigenous youth at the Clontarf Academy on an as-needs basis.