Cook played at North Hobart while still a teenager and was recruited by Carlton with the second pick of the 1990 AFL draft, which they had gained by trading Warren McKenzie to Sydney.
After struggling in his first year at Footscray, Cook played the best football of his career in 1997, with the club re-branded as the Western Bulldogs.
He then kicked a game-high four goals to help his club defeat Sydney in the Qualifying Final, outperforming Swans forward Tony Lockett.
On five occasions during this time he kicked five goals or more but also played many games where he saw little of the ball and he was offloaded to Melbourne in the 1999 pre-season draft.
At Melbourne, Cook played only three matches but won a game against the Kangaroos when he kicked six goals before an ankle injury forced his retirement.