In his brief career with Footscray, Cook played in defence and only kicked two goals; at Yarraville, he won the J. J. Liston Trophy playing as a ruckman and defender; then with Port Melbourne, he became one of the Association's premier forwards, leading the VFA goalkicking in five separate seasons and kicking an all-time VFA career record of 1336 goals from his 300 games.

In his second season, 1968, Cook played every game, primarily at centre half-back, and was already developing a reputation as one of the strongest marks in the league.

[6] In 1970, his first full season with Yarraville, he won the J. J. Liston Trophy for the VFA's best and fairest player playing as its first choice ruckman.

During a 1972 pre-season practice match against Brunswick, Cook suffered a heart attack between the first and second quarters, but he managed to play the game out and still take 17 marks.

[9] Cook was still a utility player at Port Melbourne, playing in the half-backline, ruck and forward-line depending on the needs of the team until 1974; and, in fact, in mid-1974, five years into his VFA career, he was still described as "a makeshift full-forward" by sportswriters of the time.

The discrepancy comes from whether or not senior but non-premiership games from 1977 and 1978 are included: The above discrepancies arise from Norm Goss Sr., Port Melbourne's long-serving secretary, successfully lobbying VFA officials during the 1977 season to include games played in the Ardath Cup Night Series and Centenary Cup competition in players' official career statistics.

The VFA rescinded this ruling after Goss's death in January 1983, but Port Melbourne continues to include these games in their club records as of 2018.

[27] From 1982 until 1985, Cook was the publican of the Station Hotel in Port Melbourne, and his celebrity status helped to make the pub successful during that time.