Belvoir recruit Joe Cooke says COVID's easing restrictions proved vital

Long-time Canberra star Joe Cooke told The Border Mail in late August the lockdowns across two states and the territory would mean he couldn't commit to joining the Eagles, although he did suggest that could change with the circumstances.

COVID has provided little positive news and the Eagles have now added a gun top order bat.

"I'd played 15 years of first grade in Canberra and a lot of the guys that I came through with have pretty much moved on, so I thought it was a good opportunity to step away," he offered.

"For five years or so, I've always wanted to go back and play country cricket, whether that was heading back to (home town) Yass or doing something like this was all dependent on opportunity."

Cooke will co-coach with ex-Lavington mentor Robbie Mackinlay

"The best coaches I've had and listening to a lot of the greats of the game, it's all in your head," he stressed.

"Everyone you speak to who's done well in the game say it's 10 per cent technical and 90 per cent in your head."

It's Cooke's coaching debut, although he captained two two-day flags.

Cooke played under North Albury's new coach Matt Condon, who's battled a degenerative hip condition.

"I've played with a lot of guys who've gone on to play at least first-class level and Test cricket (Nathan Lyon), he's as good as any," he praised.

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Cooke also played in the Australian under 19 titles at the same time as Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

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