Every night before bed, small forward-midfield AFL Draft prospect Harvie Cooke writes in his journal. Sometimes, it gets written in multiple times per day.
Gratitude. Reflections. Thoughts. Growth areas.
"I'm pretty big on journalling. I started to do it at the start of this year and it helps me stay grounded and whether it's preparation for games, vision or general note-taking, I'm always adding to it," Cooke told Zero Hanger at the AFL Draft National Combine.
"If I'm overthinking and feel like I need to write something, it just clears my mind and gives me the ability to know what I've got on and put things in perspective as well.
"Sometimes writing it out and reading it gives you a different view of what the actual situation is."
A footy head whose professionalism and work ethic stands out, journalling has provided important balance in a high-stress year.
Cooke speaks with a healthy level of confidence and introspection which he believes has grown this year as he has allowed himself to enjoy playing footy and release any concerns from his mind to his journal.
"It's given me a clear head this year whatever the situation is to focus on the game or whatever and as a person, it's helped me stay present, grounded and be able to switch off," Cooke said.
Despite flying somewhat under-the-radar, the strong and powerful small has one of the most decorated CVs of any prospect in this year's AFL Draft class.
He finished top five in the Larke Medal, won the Morrish Medal as the Talent League's best and fairest, and was a clear winner for the Knights' best and fairest.
"I was relieved, is a word to say," Cooke said when reflecting on his year.
"Obviously, a lot of hard work goes in over the year but it's good to get recognition for it.
"I back myself pretty highly and I'm confident in my own ability, but obviously don't have any expectations I will waltz into a club and start in the side - I've got to earn the respect but I back myself."
A born entertainer who generates energy with his goal celebrations and dazzle has proven tricky to shut down given his pound for pound strength and ability to find different avenues to goal. Cooke is popular among his peers and speaks with great maturity.
After missing Vic Metro's Under-16s side, he steadily grew across last year and quickly established himself as a sought-after small forward as he set a high benchmark for himself which he continued to reach.
"I think something I bring is that x-factor - without sounding cocky, I don't think many mids can go forward impact like I do and being a hard matchup as well with my work rate on and off the field," he said.
"I felt like the better level of footy I played, the better I played - getting the exposure against the best of the best with the team we had was so fun."
Initial doubts about how his skillset will transfer to the next level has meant it has taken time for his reputation to gather steam.
Across the course of a 10-minute conversation, Cooke regularly references his versatility as an important factor in a starring season.
Busting out of a tackle, winning clearance and separating from his opponent inside 50 have been features he has shown week-in, week-out across all levels
"When I'm playing forward, I play undersized most weeks and I'm still able to take contested marks, put pressure on the footy and get up the ground when I need to," Cooke said.
"In the midfield, I've always had the physical aspect of it and it's come out and I've started to use it a bit more this year."
