Werribee’s Team of the Year star full-back Nathan Cooper has decided to call time on his VFL footballing career.

Cooper finishes his career on the ultimate high, stepping away as a premiership player after a four-year career with Werribee, where he built the reputation as one of the VFL's best key defenders. He finishes with over 50 games for Werribee and more than 100 at the state league level.

Reflecting on his four-year tenure with the club, Cooper I have absolutely loved my four years at Werribee. I'd like to thank everyone involved with the club both on and off field for making it such a great place to play footy."

He added, "To top it off with a Premiership is truly unforgettable."

Nathan Cooper joined Werribee ahead of the 2021 season with four years and 45 games of NEAFL experience, the first two seasons with the Swans Reserves having come through their academy, before spending a further two years with Sydney University.

He made the move south to Richmond VFL in 2020, but when the season was cancelled without a match being played due to the COVID pandemic, he cut ties with the Tigers and made his way to Avalon Airport Oval; a switch that came at the recommendation of former Werribee players Ryan Hebron who was a teammate of Cooper in Sydney and Alex Marklew who he played with in Wangaratta.

The defender did not take long to find his way into Werribee’s side, debuting Round 1 of 2021, alongside fellow retiree Nick Hayes against Collingwood, with former club coach and captain Simon Atkins presenting him his guernsey pre-game.

Cooper featured in Werribee’s best players in the each of the first three games before putting in more strong showings at Box Hill and against the Northern Bullants in his debut season, with coach Michael Barlow singing his praises in his first campaign; “Nathan is a player that’s come to our club for more consistent VFL opportunities which he’s gained through a really good preseason.” He added, “Accountability to role is a real strength of his and competing one-one-one where he is able to win or half contests and follow up at ground level where he’s very agile and nimble. He is rarely beaten.”

2022 was an injury affected season for Cooper, but 2023 was a true breakout season for the key defender. He managed to play all 21 games in Werribee’s Grand Final campaign, the first season he failed to miss a match in his state league career, and played a key role in the reason as to why Werribee was the best key defensive team in the competition. He was rewarded with Werribee’s Defensive Player of the Year and earned his first top five best-and-fairest finish for the club.

His impressive 2023 campaign also earned Cooper a spot in the VFL’s representative side as the Big V returned to state of origin footy to take on the SANFL at the start of 2024.

The defender showed no signs of slowing down to begin his 2024 campaign and was named in the best in Werribee’s thrilling Round 2 win against Southport. Cooper showed his defensive best in the first half of the season, notably keeping both North Melbourne forward Tyler Sellers, and 2023 leading goalkicker Brodie McLaughlan goalless. In Round 13 Cooper picked new career-highs in disposals and marks in another best afield game, before picking up a syndesmosis injury the week later sidelining him until finals.

After nine weeks on the sidelines, Cooper returned for finals and showed why he’s considered one of the best key defenders in the competition, limiting AFL veteran Gary Rohan to just six disposals while collecting 14 disposals, seven marks, and five intercept possessions himself.

Cooper bows out on a high, playing a pivotal role in Werribee’s drought-breaking Grand Final victory, capping off his VFL career as a premiership player. At the VFL Awards Night the defender was awarded with his first career Team of the Year selection, and at Werribee’s Bruce Montgomery Trophy night claimed his second consecutive Best Defensive Player award.

Cooper will still be having a kick with Wangaratta Rovers in the Ovens & Murray Football Netball League and everyone at the club wishes him the best of luck.