Cooper Whyte Explained

Cooper Whyte
Fullname:Cooper Whyte
Birth Date:2003 2, df=yes
Originalteam:Geelong Falcons / Grovedale College
Draftpick:No. 64, 2021 national draft
Debutdate:Round 2, 2021
Debutstadium:the MCG
Weight:81 kg
Height:181 cm
Guernsey:11
Years1:2023
Games Goals1:1 (0)
Position:Defender / Defence
Statsend:2023
Repstatsend:2023

Cooper Whyte (born 24 February 2003) is an Australian rules footballer who previously played for Geelong in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Geelong selected Whyte 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]

Junior career

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 draftee Mitch Knevitt.[2] Before being drafted by Geelong, Whyte was a 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]

AFL career

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AFL Team Selection . 2021-04-02 . geelongcats.com.au . en.
  2. News: Young . Lachlan . Geelong Falcons AFL Draft hope Cooper Whyte could have been elite basketballer . Geelong Advertiser . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 21 November 2021.
  3. Web site: Cooper Whyte Draft Profile . Rookie Me Central . 23 March 2023.
  4. News: Young . Lachie . Geelong Falcons duo Mitch Knevitt, Cooper Whyte on recruiter wish lists ahead of AFL draft . Geelong Advertiser . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 31 October 2021.
  5. Web site: Collings . Tom . Pick 64: Cooper Whyte . Geelong Football Club . 23 March 2023 . 25 November 2021.
  6. News: Barnes . Josh . Youngster Cooper Whyte making strides during Geelong’s pre-season . Geelong Advertiser . Nationwide News Pty Ltd . 1 January 2023.
  7. Web site: Geelong list update . Geelong Football Club . 4 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230904053044/https://www.geelongcats.com.au/news/1423259/release-placeholder . 4 September 2023 . live.