The 2008 Brownlow medallist entered this season on the back of two injury-plagued years when right knee problems limited him to 27 games.
But after cutting-edge post-season treatment in Germany, Cooney, 27, has turned back the clock to hit a vein of form that rivals his peak 2008-10 years.
After playing 18 of the Bulldogs' 20 games to date, Cooney has averaged 25.3 possessions a game, compared to 25.5 in 2008, 26.8 in 2009 and 25.8 in 2010.
With two rounds still to play, he has racked up 30 or more possessions in seven games and could yet better the best return of his career – eight 30-possession games in 2009.
Despite spending much of this season in a new role across half-back, Cooney has kicked 17 goals, his best haul since his Brownlow Medal year.
Best of all for Bulldogs fans, Cooney has been back to his rampaging best, breaking opposition lines with his speed and strong foot skils.
His ability to train harder this season has also meant Cooney has been running out games strongly.
In the Bulldogs' recent wins over Carlton and Adelaide, Cooney was inspirational, kicking last-quarter goals in both games.
The longer his excellent form has continued, the more opposition interest in him has grown in 2013.
Reports earlier this year linked him to his home state of South Australia, while more recent rumours had him heading to Hawthorn, where his former Bulldog teammate Brian Lake went at the end of last season.
As a restricted free agent, Cooney could have been claimed by a rival club in October's free agency period provided the Bulldogs did not match that club's offer.
However, Cooney was happy to end speculation about his future and re-commit to the club that took him with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 national draft.
Cooney's post-season treatment on his right knee, which was first injured when he cracked the patella in the 2008 finals series, involved taking blood from his arm, separating and incubating its growth cells and injecting them into his knee.
Twitter: @AFL_Nick
