By David Nagel
Cardinia captain-coach Mark Cooper will look to add to an already glittering leadership career when the Bulls take on Tooradin in this weekend’s CCCA Premier Division Grand Final at Gunton Oval.
Cooper first coached in 2001-02, leading Cranbourne to premiership glory in his debut season, before suffering the indignity of relegation a year later.
He then coached for three years at Baden Powell in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association’s (MPCA) elite Provincial Division, before making the move to Cardinia for his first stint in 2006/07.
It’s a move that saw the left-hand opener elevate his reputation in the game.
This weekend he will be chasing a remarkable ninth premiership at the helm.
Cooper struck gold in his first season at Cardinia and repeated the dose against Kooweerup two years later in 2008/09.
In his first stint with the Bulls, Cooper coached for six years; winning two premierships, making four grand finals and losing two semi-finals along the way.
He moved back to the MPCA in 2012/13, winning a fourth career-premiership in his first season at Langwarrin.
He was coach at Lloyd Park for three years, before finishing runner up in his only season as coach of Hallora in the Warragul and District Cricket Association in 2015/16.
He then enjoyed a magnificent four-year coaching journey with Kooweerup, leading the Demons to three premierships and a runner-up finish; including his only taste of back-to-back success beginning in 2016/17.
He moved back to the MPCA for a third time in 2020/21, leading Carrum to two semi-final losses in his only two years at the club.
Cooper then won his eighth premiership – and most recent – when he guided Beaconsfield to the 2022/23 Turf 2 flag against Cranbourne.
The Eagles were that day captained by Mick Sweeney; who Cooper will once again square off against on the weekend.
In his eight previous stints as coach, Cooper has won a premiership in his first year at Cranbourne, Cardinia, Langwarrin, Kooweerup and Beaconsfield.
It’s an amazing record that he will look to keep intact in his first season back with the Bulls.
“I wanted to be a coach when I came back from District cricket a long time ago now; I was more passionate about coaching than I was about playing as high as I can for as long as possible,” Cooper said of his love for being a leader.
“To impact others, and not necessarily my own game, that’s what drove me and I realise that passion early on.
“That was great for my coaching, but it meant I had to sacrifice not being at Cranbourne for the rest of my life as a one-club player.
“Coaching was more important than maybe being at a club for a significant period of time and calling that club home.
“Then different challenges arrive; you impact other groups and pass your philosophy onto others and see what impact that can have.
“That’s probably what’s kept me motivated for the longevity piece; as you said for 23 or 24 years.”
Cooper is looking forward to the strategy battle against Sweeney this weekend.
He can’t wait to pit his top-of-the-table Bulls against the reigning champs.
“It’s being able to think about the game and adjusting, but also skilling up your players to adjust is just as important, I think,” Cooper said of his team’s preparation.
“Mick will be doing the same with his group; your planning for this game hasn’t just happened this week; it happens through the two times you play each other and hearing and seeing what other people are seeing in the comp; and trying to piece that all together and work out what’s going to work best.
“I think we’re a flexible team that can adjust on the run; but Mick can impact the game in 10 overs and things change.
“If that happens; you have to adjust really quickly, which is a real challenge as a leader and skipper out on the park.”
Despite last Sunday’s washout; Cooper believes the Bulls and Seagulls have thoroughly earned the right to fight it out in the big one.
“I know Kooweerup and Pakenham will be disappointed, but there’s sometimes a reason why the top two teams are on top at the end of the season,” he said.
“That’s in terms of wins and playing good cricket for long enough throughout the season, and this is not disrespecting Kooweerup and Pakenham; but our two records are very similar.
“Looking at the match ups I think it comes a lot down to depth; they’ve got depth all the way down their playing list, batting, bowling and in the field, and we’re looking to match that depth on the weekend.
“Often your leading runscorers throughout the year aren’t your leading runscorers when it comes to semi and grand final time.
“Sometimes it’s the feel good story of someone that has stepped up, that hasn’t had a great year; that’s bats or bowls above themselves on that particular day.
“That’s what players can be remembered for and they have a raft of players that can do that.
“We have to try and combat that.”
