Considered by many to be the father of football in Darwin and the first indigenous football player to play in Darwin.

The most high profile sportsman in Darwin from 1915 to 1939, he was a talented swimmer and all round athlete before focusing on football. His participation in the sport was instrumental in removing the racial barriers prevalent at the time.

His footballing career began in 1917 as a Foundation member of Waratah Football Club before transferring to Vesteys in 1918/19 where he was Vice Captain in 1919/20 and taking over captaincy in 1920 for 3 years.

Won Club Best & Fairest at Vesteys in 1921/22, the same year winning NTFL League Best & Fairest. A prolific goal scorer he was the leading Club and League Goal Kicker in 1926/27.

A legend of the game, we are proud to induct Rueben Cooper Snr into the AFLNT Hall of Fame.