To many Goulburn Valley League followers, Gary Cooper is one of the greatest footballers to have ever graced the competition.
From his younger years at Tatura that delivered the skilful and brilliant rover individual success, to a career at Mooroopna littered with more personal accolades and team glory.
So it’s only fitting that the three-time Morrison medallist and two-time premiership player will now have a medal named in his honour whenever two of his former clubs meet.
The Gary Cooper Medal will make its inaugural appearance on Saturday in the round 11 clash between fierce rivals Tatura and Mooroopna.
The best player from the senior football match, judged by a panel of four, will be awarded the first Gary Cooper Medal.
The significance of the honour isn’t lost on Cooper.
Universally loved in district footy circles, the GVL Hall of Fame Legend said he was taken aback when Tatura approached him about the idea.
Cooper, who hails from Yorta Yorta nation, said it was a proud moment for him to be recognised this way.
“I’m feeling pretty honoured to be honest. I’m a bit shocked,” Cooper said.
“When they approached me to tell me, I was sort of, not stunned, but more ‘Oh, really, Me?’
“You just played footy because you loved doing it and now someone honours you with a medal, I’m feeling pretty proud and honoured. For both Mooroopna and Tatura to come together and arrange this medal for a guy who loved playing his footy, it means a lot. I love both clubs very much and I’d love to thank them both.”
Tatura president James Pyke said it was important that Tatura and Mooroopna pay tribute to a giant of both clubs.
“Gary is one of the most decorated players of all-time in the GV,” Pyke said.
“As a club, we’re so proud he played with us, won a Morrison Medal with us, you know he started his GV footy at Tat and he finished his GV footy at Tat which is very special.
“He’s obviously got ties with Billy (grandson) now playing at Tat, so it’s a pretty special occasion.”
Pyke’s Mooroopna counterpart Bill Dowling agreed with his sentiments.
“Tatura approached us with the idea and we were very happy to help bring it to fruition,” Dowling said.
“Gary is a dual premiership player, multiple best-and-fairest winner, he’s a legend of the club and the league and it’s great to acknowledge our past greats. It’s not uncommon for people nowadays to ask about Gary or mention him when they bring up Mooroopna.
“And he’s a fantastic person, he really is just one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet.”
For some of us unlucky to not have witnessed Cooper in full flight, many describe him as a “spectacular footballer”.
His dedication to representative football is highlighted by his record-setting 23 interleague appearances.
Across his 332 senior GVL matches, Cooper was renowned for his speed, work ethic, footy smarts and sportsmanship — with the on-baller never reported during his illustrious career.
Having grown up at Kyabram, where his father and uncle played football, the family spent a few years in NSW, before a teenage Cooper shifted from Ardmona to Tatura to join “a few mates” in 1973.
It wasn’t long before his sublime talents caught the eye at clubland and he became a regular in the ones at Tatura Park.
Two years after his senior debut he was awarded the first of his three GVL best-and-fairests and by this time it was opponents who sat up and took notice.
After a shift away to Mount Gambier and one year playing in Shepparton, Cooper found himself trading the Kennel for the Cattery.
Another Morrison Medal in 1983 was followed by the one thing Cooper longed for most, a premiership medal in 1985 and yet another Morrison triumph — his third and final.
He was best-on-ground that day and once again, a year later, he was best-on in the Cats’ 1986 — and most recent — premiership success.
“It’s why you play footy (premierships). I’d trade all three medals in for three premierships if I could,” Cooper said.
Nowadays, Cooper gets as much thrill out of watching his kids and grandkids play football and netball.
One of his grandsons, Billy, if not called up to play VFL for Richmond, will don the red, white and blue on Saturday.
Billy’s playing style has strong similarities to his grandfather’s and if he’s able to guide Tatura to a surprise win — we may see grandfather hand grandson the inaugural medal.
“It would be special if he did (win the medal), but he’s gotta earn it,” Cooper said.
“He has to play well, it won’t be handed to him, but if he did win I would be over the moon.”
Bragging rights between Mooroopna and Tatura won’t be the only thing up for grabs on Saturday with the two clubs to square off for the Rodney Cup.
Coined when Tatura and Mooroopna both shared the same local government area, the Shire of Rodney, the Rodney Cup adds another element to an already fierce rivalry.
“It’s great the Rodney Cup has regained exposure again. It was once a big deal,” Pyke said.
“This rivalry with Mooroopna, it’s the biggest in the comp, we love to beat them, but we also have massive respect for them.”