Cooper Whyte (born 24 February 2003) is an Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the Werribee Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He previously played for Geelong in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Cooper Whyte
Personal information
Full name Cooper Whyte
Date of birth (2003-02-24) 24 February 2003 (age 21)
Original team(s) Geelong Falcons / Grovedale College
Draft No. 64, 2021 national draft
Debut Round 2, 2021, Geelong vs. Carlton, at the MCG
Height 181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 81 kg (179 lb)
Position(s) Defender / Defence
Club information
Current club Geelong
Number 11
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2023 Geelong 1 (0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2023.
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Whyte was selected with pick 64 in the 2021 AFL draft. Whyte made his AFL debut in round 2 of the 2023 AFL season against Carlton as the tactical sub.[1]

Career

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Juniors

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Educated at Grovedale College, Whyte played both Australian rules football and basketball during his junior career, spending three years as part of the Geelong Supercats program.[2] In 2021, he would finish as runner-up in the Geelong Falcons best-and-fairest, behind fellow future Geelong draftee Mitch Knevitt.[2] Before being drafted by Geelong, Whyte was a Collingwood supporter.[2]

Described as a swift midfielder with a long left foot kick,[3] Whyte was identified by AFL recruiters ahead of the 2021 AFL draft,[4] eventually being selected by Geelong with pick 64.[5]

A groin injury kept Whyte out of the Geelong team during much of the 2022 AFL season,[6] restricted to just the first four games playing with Geelong's VFL team. After impressing during preseason training ahead of the 2023 AFL season,[6] Whyte made his AFL debut for Geelong, coming off the interchange bench as the tactical sub for the last quarter in Geelong's round 2 loss against Carlton.

Whyte was delisted by Geelong at the conclusion of the 2023 season.[7]

Whyte became a VFL premiership player in 2024, playing for Werribee in a six-point grand final victory over Southport.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ "AFL Team Selection". geelongcats.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Young, Lachlan (21 November 2021). "Geelong Falcons AFL Draft hope Cooper Whyte could have been elite basketballer". Geelong Advertiser. Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  3. ^ "Cooper Whyte Draft Profile". Rookie Me Central. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  4. ^ Young, Lachie (31 October 2021). "Geelong Falcons duo Mitch Knevitt, Cooper Whyte on recruiter wish lists ahead of AFL draft". Geelong Advertiser. Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  5. ^ Collings, Tom (25 November 2021). "Pick 64: Cooper Whyte". Geelong Football Club. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b Barnes, Josh (1 January 2023). "Youngster Cooper Whyte making strides during Geelong's pre-season". Geelong Advertiser. Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
  7. ^ "Geelong list update". Geelong Football Club. Archived from the original on 4 September 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  8. ^ "2024 Smithy's VFL Grand Final: Player Profiles". AFL.com.au. 21 September 2024. Archived from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Werribee Tigers v Southport". AFL.com.au. 22 September 2024. Archived from the original on 22 September 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
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