by Nicholas Duck
What's your favourite thing in the world to do? Something that you're truly passionate about, that you couldn't imagine being without. Now imagine what it would be like if you were told you could never do it again.
That was the reality facing Warragul Football Club's Cooper Alger in April last year after a workplace accident left him blind in his right eye, changing his life forever.
With doctors telling him it was highly unlikely he'd ever take to the field again, Cooper was left wondering exactly what his future might look like.
Cut to a few short weeks ago and he was named as the Gippsland League Rookie of the Year as well as earning a spot in its team of the year.
It's a remarkable story of resilience, perseverance, hard work and above all else, the power of positive thinking.
Having previously been private about his road to recovery, last week Cooper and his mother Kylie sat down with me for a chat at the Gulls' home base Western Park to talk about his journey to this point and what lies ahead.

Just before the accident Cooper was like any other 19-year-old, playing footy and hanging out with mates as he began adult life.
He had taken up a plumbing job, and it was there where he suffered what he describes as a "one in a million" injury when the blade of his grinder exploded, sending shards everywhere, including into his right eye.
"To put it in a simple way it split my eye open like an eggshell. If you crack an eggshell everything on the inside comes out, so I lost all the important things in my eye like my lens and stuff like that," he says.
The incident immediately left him permanently and irreparably blind in the affected eye. He was rushed to hospital in Melbourne, where they were at least able to save the organ following countless surgeries.
"If I'd waited a few hours I would have lost my eye completely," he says.
In person Cooper comes across quite well. He has a jovial, upbeat spirit, and is clearly very personable.
Over the course of our interview at least four people walk past, all of whom he greets with a smile and a quick chat.
While telling his story it's notable he's always looking for the light in what were undoubtedly some of the darkest moments in his life, choosing to focus on the positives rather than the negatives.
That darkness was often quite literal. Cooper had to spend months indoors and away from any light. Even the sunlight from an open curtain would cause extreme discomfort.
Even more challenging was dealing with the change in depth perception. Humans usually rely on having two eyes to fully understand a three-dimensional space. Cooper losing one meant he couldn't even pour a glass of water, simply because he was unable to properly judge where the glass was.
"For about four to six months I was just bedridden. Mum had to help me put eyedrops in because I couldn't even pick up the drops," he says.
Despite his positive attitude, he admits it was "pretty tough."
Kylie chimes in, adding "the initial weeks after Cooper's accident were extremely challenging because the injury not only damaged his eye but affected his other eye. Basic tasks around the house were impossible for Cooper."
More than anything, the revelation that his football career was all but over was a tough pill to swallow. "Those first few weeks when they told me a few things it really hit hard," he says.
"But what can you do? You can't really lie there and cop it. You've just got to try and overcome it."
With thinking like that it's not hard to see why Cooper had so many people in his corner.
His team of surgeons and doctors worked around the clock to keep him up and going, while family and friends were leaving messages of support by the dozens.
The Gulls community threw its arms around Cooper, hosting a sportsman's night and auction of memorabilia, with all funds going towards his recovery.
"It was one of the biggest functions we've had in a long time. Just the support was crazy," Cooper explains.
Attending the event was a big step for Cooper. It was the first time since the accident that he'd been out of bed for more than a couple of hours, and he admits he initially didn't want to go, mostly because he thought he couldn't.
"Turns out I stayed and it was so overwhelming. It was actually the first time in a while I'd burst a tear just because of the support," he says. A smile comes to his face with the memory.
"It was definitely overwhelming and we were humbled by the response," Kylie says. "It gives you that perspective of what a great community you live in."
Cooper began his rehabilitation towards the end of 2022. Despite what his doctors told him, he refused to give up on footy. It's just not how he's built.
The initial days were tough for him. Spending the better part of eight months bedridden doesn't do wonders for your fitness.
Just a bit of exercise would wear him out quickly, not to mention the fact that he had to run every single thing he wanted to do past his doctors.
When it comes to his rehab, Cooper says there's one man he especially has to give due credit to – Voyage Fitness' Anthony Alderuccio.
"He's done so much for me that I can't actually even thank him enough ever. He's the most generous, best bloke you'd ever come across" he says.
According to the Algers, Anthony has been with Cooper every step of the way, working with him for hours every day in the gym, picking him up and dropping him home, and even buying special equipment to help improve his depth perception.
"He really did take Cooper under his wing for his recovery," Kylie adds.
"Anthony put in a lot of hours of rehab over many many months that we will forever be not only grateful for but I think the majority of Cooper's rehab and recovery has been because of Anthony overseeing that."
The feeling is mutual. When asked about Cooper, Anthony says it's been "phenomenal" to see him progress the way he has.
"People don't realise the hours he's put in to get to this point," he says. "He's one in a million with his positivity, he's the most positive guy I've ever met. And he genuinely cares about people, anyone he comes across."
Eventually after enough improvement, Cooper made the call to join his teammates in pre-season training.
"I'd be throwing the ball and then one week I'd be able to get one and then the next week I'd be able to get two and the next week three and I just thought - yes, finally!"
While he initially struggled with marking and the idea of full contact, Cooper was soon playing a pre-season game and eventually round one.
.It goes without saying that Cooper's surgeon wasn't as keen about a return to football.
"I think they thought he was very ambitious when he said he wanted to play again. I don't think they ever realised he'd end up where he is now," Kylie says.
To protect his eyes he took to the field wearing specialised goggles, the same kind that Collingwood ruckman Mason Cox wears. The premiership Magpie, who suffered from two detached retinas, was more than happy to help when Cooper reached out.
"He was awesome," Cooper says of Mason. "I heard his story on a podcast and he shared a little bit of insight about how his retina detached in both eyes. I could feel his pain, I knew exactly what he was going through."
Not only did Cooper have to adjust to his new depth perception, but his entire style of play had to change. Where he had once been an inside midfielder capable of playing at half back, now he plays exclusively as an outside half back, using his piercing left foot kick to open up the field.
With every game his confidence improved, both in his body and his ability to play at a high level.
"It was just confidence. After the practice match, after round one and after round two I felt like I was getting better and better with each game.
"As the year went on I felt like I conditioned myself better and ran a bit more and got fitter and positioned myself on the field a lot better."
He did cop some sledges surrounding his goggles, of course.
"There were some funny ones in there. I was taking a set shot against Drouin and a good mate of mine told me to go back to the pool because of my goggles, that was pretty good," he laughs.
For their family, Kylie says it meant a lot to see Cooper back doing what he loves.
"We were just thrilled to see him playing football. When he said he wanted to play again we didn't care what level he played or where he played, we were just happy for him.
"It was very emotional actually to see him back playing. It was only us and maybe Anthony that have really seen the whole journey and how unlikely it was that he'd ever play footy again," she says.
Cooper's new daily routine helped him to get the best out himself. These days he gets up at 3:30am every day, heads to the gym and puts in the work before beginning his work day.
"It's the only time champions are made, that's the way I put it." A grin lights up his face as he says it.
The hard work paid off. Cooper regularly featured among the Gulls' best throughout the year, and the league noticed.
To be named Rookie of the Year and earn a place in the team of the year was "very overwhelming."
"From not even being able to catch a ball in November December to actually being in the best 22 players of the competition and best rookie this year was pretty humbling."
While he's usually someone who is always looking forward, Cooper admits he did take a moment to think back on his journey. 
"I'm not the type of person to really pump up my own tyres or talk about myself that much but I was just on my way home (after presentation night) and I was thinking to myself I have come a long way.
"I'm just very grateful for everyone that's been part of it and especially myself, the amount of work I've put in."
So what's next for Cooper?
He now works as a personal trainer, having been inspired by his time in rehab to help people as others helped him. Working alongside clients, from school kids to people on NDIS, he's all about getting the best out of everyone. And he gets to do it alongside his mate Anthony, who is now his boss.
"I love it. Love every day, I haven't been happier waking up," he says.
"It's a bit strange, I guess, like where would I be in life if it hadn't have happened? Would I still be digging 20-metre trenches? Everything in life happens for a reason I guess."
There's still a long road ahead, and challenges to come. But right now Cooper says he wants to live the best life he can, and hopes he can inspire people along the way.
"Long term I'm just trying to be successful and try to help everyone and try to be the happiest man in the world."
With everything he's already accomplished, it's almost impossible to believe he won't achieve that too.