Billy Cooper has made an immediate impact at Congupna.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
He is the grandson of a Goulburn Valley football legend.
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But Billy Cooper is looking to step out of the shadow of his grandfather — Tatura and Mooroopna great Gary Cooper — and carve his own path in the Goulburn Valley football landscape.
The tough and silky midfielder has made a positive start to this journey, winning a best-and-fairest award for Tatura in the Goulburn Valley League before proving his ability further while playing for Richmond’s VFL side in 2023.
In 2024, Cooper returned home to the Goulburn Valley, although this time, he is pulling on the boots for a team down The Road at Congupna.
Cooper has been a welcome addition to a star-studded Congupna line-up that also features Kyle Mueller, Isaiah Jones and Jack Norman.
Apart from missing a couple of games with a rib injury, the talented midfielder has helped boost The Road as they hunt their first football premiership in 31 years and their first in Murray Football League.
After losing last year’s grand final to Mulwala by 33 points, Congupna went searching for some star power that could help the club achieve the ultimate success — enter the likes of Mueller, Jones and Cooper.
Cooper’s cousin Daniel Schaper (captain of the senior side) was a big factor in attracting the midfield ace to The Road, with Cooper saying that the club’s culture immediately drew him in.
“I came to a few pre-season games and I was like, ‘Wow, this is why I love footy’,” Cooper said.
“I had a bit of fun back into footy, which I sort of fell away from.
“I saw footy as a really serious thing for a while and the club has really helped me see the light in footy again.
“I’m training with the thirds and the juniors tonight just to get amongst it.
“It’s just enjoying the country vibe again, which is really good.”
Billy Cooper hunts the ball in his debut season for Congupna.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Of course, life at a new club is always going to be fun when your side is flying and on top of the ladder.
Congupna is one win clear of second-placed Mulwala and has only dropped one game across the first eight rounds, with Cooper looking to add more strings to his bow to help keep The Road on top.
“I have taken more of a senior role among the group,” he said.
“I’m 25, but I feel like I am a senior player in the group and having been the person who learns last year (at Richmond VFL), I am the person who is teaching (this year), which is really good.
“The guys want to learn and they want to get better and I feel like I can take us to the next level as well.
“(I am) part of the leadership group this year, which is really good and something I take pride in.”
During his year in yellow and black in the VFL, Cooper played nine games for the Tigers, averaging 12.4 disposals a game, with his best performance of the season coming in Richmond’s loss in the wildcard round to Collingwood when Cooper collected 19 touches and seven marks.
Reflecting on his experience at VFL level, Cooper appreciates the opportunity he had to train with some of the AFL’s best players such as Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin, but does he wish to return to the league?
“I thought about it,” he said.
“Right now, I am pretty content with where I am and where Congupna is going and my footy here because I think there are some big boxes to tick here at this club.
“It might be nice in the future, but right now, I am content.”
A proud Yorta Yorta man, during the day, he works at St Mary’s Primary School and is a support worker on the side and, in his spare time, Cooper celebrates his Indigenous connection through his dance group.
The group has danced for a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball and the AFL, while it also performed on one of the biggest dates in the sporting calendar: the ceremony prior to the Dreamtime at the G match between Essendon and Richmond.
“When I can do it (dance) on a big stage like Dreamtime, it’s pretty crazy; goosebumps the whole dance for sure,” he said.
“Sir Doug Nicholls, he is an uncle of mine, so it is another special thing for myself.
“Getting out there and showing not even just Australia, but the world who we are and who I am is really important to me.”
Cooper may try to hide his identity as a North Melbourne supporter, but the young leader is open and proud of his Indigenous heritage.
During Reconciliation Week, Cooper visited schools to teach children about Indigenous culture and ceremonies, while he hoped Goulburn Valley football and netball clubs could continue to show their support for Indigenous players and people.
“I am teaching some kids the didgeridoo and do some smoking ceremonies and stuff like that,” he said.
“For me, it is a big expression; I know other people like to dance or sing or storytelling; dancing for me is a big way in which I can express myself.
“I think clubs are doing really good with Indigenous round and stuff like that.
“Even if clubs can get some elders in and learn about the history of the grounds they are on, or who was on the ground, it’s not just Yorta Yorta land for us; what used to be here or what are some traditional games they used to play.”
Billy Cooper performs a smoking ceremony at St Mary's Primary School during Reconciliation Week.
Photo by
Grace Carter
Cooper’s football pedigree makes him a notable figure in the Goulburn Valley football landscape and, while he is determined to create his own legacy, the star midfielder does lean on his grandfather for guidance.
“I am pretty hotheaded on the field sometimes and he is probably the more level-headed person I need in my life,” he said.
“Having him in my family is something to be pretty proud of.
“Him and my father have been the main (inspiration).
“You don’t want to be a shadow; you want to be your own person.”
On his current trajectory, Cooper looks destined to leave his stamp on the Goulburn Valley and if he can help Congupna achieve that elusive first Murray Football League flag, his name may live for a long time down The Road.
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