COONEY, Adam

Adam Cooney was traded to Essendon for pick 37 in the 2014 National Draft after a 219-game, 11-season career with the Western Bulldogs. He was the number one draft pick in 2003 and won the competition's highest individual honour when he won the Brownlow Medal in 2008, the first number one draft pick to win. He was also All-Australian in 2008.

He made his Essendon debut in Round 1, 2015, in a loss to the Sydney Swans, although he kicked three goals.

He was a forward/midfielder whose laid-back attitude and dry sense of humour belied his competitiveness and work rate.

His leadership on the field and versatility as a player allowed the coaches to play him where needed. During the 2016 season, when 12 Essendon players were suspended, Cooney provided solid leadership, experience and mentoring, developing the upcoming younger players.

Ultimately it was long-standing injuries, including significant knee trouble, that finished his career, and he announced that the Round 22 game in 2016 would be his last. It was his 250th game and fittingly, it was against his old side, the Western Bulldogs.