No.12 - Lucas COOK
Height: 196cm
Weight: 81kg
DOB: 03/03/92
Club: North Ballarat Rebels (Vic)

National recruiting manager Barry Prendergast was delighted to snare Cook.

“He is a tall, lead-up forward and at 196cm is an elite kick and great decision-maker,” Prendergast told melbournefc.com.au.

“He also possesses great skills and has a massive engine.

“He also has great work rate.”

Cook has excellent foot skills on both sides and can hit a range of kicks both stationary and on the run.

AFL national and international talent manager Kevin Sheehan said Cook was a fine big man prospect.

“Lucas is a tall forward who reads the game well and has sure hands,” he said.

“He is a mobile player who can go back and makes good decisions. He received under-18 All-Australian honours in 2010 and averaged 14 disposals and kicked nine goals at the under-18 championships.

An extremely accurate kick, he possesses a very strong work rate.

He makes great decisions and his handballing is elite. He weights his handballs perfectly to the advantage of his teammates. When he gets the footy, it stays with his team.

Regarded as a modern day player with his skill and decision-making, he will either kick the goal or set up a player to do so.

Not the quickest, but makes up for it with footy smarts and awareness.

He can run all day and is regarded as a lead-up forward or third tall defender. Cook continually presents up forward.