John Cook (rugby league)
John Thomas Cook (born 1941) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer from Newcastle, New South Wales. Early career. He played soccer in his early life and represented New South Wales at under 16 level winning the national championship in 1956. He also won a national championship in Junior Surf Boats for Swansea Caves Beach Surf Life Saving club. Rugby league. Cook started his first grade career at the Lakes United in Newcastle. He remained there for two seasons and then joined Newtown Jets in 1979. Unable to break into first grade, he moved to  South Sydney Rabbitohs for two seasons between 1980, playing one Tooth Cup, one pre-season trial and eight reserve grade games and 1981, playing two first grade games and fourteen reserve grade games. He retired at 39 after the 1981 season. Personal life. Cook is the father of former race car driver Brendon Cook.