Get to know Billy Cootee

Off-season recruit Billy Cootee has only been in South Australia for a few months, but he’s got a specific goal in mind… and Norwood fans will like it.

“I want to play finals here and hopefully win a flag at the Redlegs,” he said.

“I hope to kick some goals and get a few wins.

“That’s my number one priority.”

The 21-year old midfield-forward relocated from Melbourne where he’s played with Essendon’s VFL side for the past three seasons – captaining the team in 2023, and finishing third in the club best and fairest.

He said the transition to Adelaide had been smooth.

“It’s been good, the boys have been very welcoming and inviting,” Cootee said.

“Coming over from Victoria it was a bit of a move, but the boys have helped me fit in.

“I haven’t been to Adelaide too often, drove over with Dad the first time (since signing with Norwood) to meet Twig and the boys – the club’s been awesome to help me out.

“Ollie Sanders has been good, Sam Morris and Henry Nelligan have taken me under their wing and shown me around Adelaide.”

Cootee isn’t the only new face that’s shifted to Norwood from interstate, which he said had helped.

“You can bounce different ideas off the other new guys, and lean on them when you want to talk about moving over,” he said.

Cootee is from Mount Beauty in Victoria’s north-east, before moving to Melbourne for school and to pursue his interests in both football and cricket.

He played TAC Cup for the Western Jets, before heading to Essendon’s VFL side where he’s played the last three seasons.

Now it’s time for a new challenge in the SANFL.

“I have heard the footy is pretty good over here so I’m really excited for a new challenge,” he said.

“I was with Essendon for three years and they were unbelievable for me, but it’s time for a new challenge.

“I didn’t know a lot about the SANFL before moving over – there’s a lot of talk about the VFL and SANFL being strong leagues.

“The SANFL’s a top tier comp so I wanted to try my luck over here.”

Cootee had the opportunity to captain Essendon in 2023, at just the age of 20.

“It was a good experience,” he said.

“Certainly a challenge and I grew up a lot – I learnt a lot and had to have hard conversations with older players, so it was a real benefit to me and my football.”

Cootee’s working in a warehouse in Pooraka, before commencing a University degree in Construction Management.

“Adelaide traffic is nothing compared to Melbourne traffic, I’m finding it good to get around.”