McCooke, a Caulfield City recruit, made his debut for Street Kilda in the 1955 VFL season. He played seven games that season, then only seconds fixtures in 1956, followed by three senior appearances in 1957 and another three in 1958. McCooke was coach of Wimmera Football League club Murtoa from 1964 to 1967.
He coached Ormond Amateurs in 1978.
Used mostly as a follower or forward, McCooke kicked three goals for Street Kilda in his second league game, a win over North Melbourne at Junction Oval, which ended a 12 game losing streak. The next stage of his career was spent at Oakleigh in the Victorian Football Association, where he was a premiership player in 1960 and won a best and fairest award in 1962.
