Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Horn

Carlton and Cook stuck in a vicious cycle of hope, hype and hurt

Carlton’s Jacob Weitering and Patrick Cripps look dejected after their round nine loss to the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
Carlton’s Jacob Weitering and Patrick Cripps look dejected after their round nine loss to the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium. Photograph: Michael Willson/AFL Photos/Getty Images

When Brian Cook was CEO of Geelong, he had a folder on his computer for all the vicious emails he received from fans, coterie groups and board members. He labelled it “Assassins”.

It’s easy to forget just how dire things were at the Cats when he took over. The coach and captain walked out. The team was useless and the club had no money. Garry Hocking was forced to change his name by deed poll to ‘Whiskas’ to rustle up 100 grand. “The organisation had no structures, no layers,” Cook told writer James Button. “It was like a local footy club.”

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.