SUBIACO bottom-ager Koltyn Tholstrup has both the name and style to quickly capture the attention of footy fans, though his footy has been doing most of the talking this year. As a relative mainstay for the Lions, he has been outstanding in his usual forward post with 22 goals in nine games.

Having earned a berth in Western Australia’s Under 18 state side, the 2023-eligible prospect returned to Subi’s Colts side in Round 17, but reprised a new role on the weekend. He took time to find his feet, put produced some fine form down back in the Lions’ two-goal loss to South Fremantle.

We put his performance under the Player Focus microscope.

Subiaco, Western AustraliaForward

Koltyn Tholstrup

Height: 186cm

Weight: 86kg

DOB: 28-06-2005

Strengths:

Effort

Kicking penetration

Overhead marking

Power

Scoreboard impact

Strength

SEASON SO FAR

WAFL Colts averages: 9 games | 16.3 disposals | 11.0 kicks | 5.3 handballs | 4.4 marks | 2.7 tackles | 3.9 inside 50s | 2.4 goals (22 total)

Tholstrup started the season like a house on fire up forward, booting 14 goals in the first month with four consecutive bags of multiple majors. His season-high of five came against East Perth in Round 4, and he also clunked a high of eight marks in that game. Tholstrup played every game until Round 7, before joining the state Under 18 side where he was used mostly forward, but enjoyed some stints in midfield. He returned to Subiaco with two goals from 11 touches last week, before putting up huge numbers on Saturday against South Fremantle.

2022 WAFL Colts Round 18
South Fremantle 8.11 (59) def. Subiaco 6.11 (47)

#23 Koltyn Tholstrup (Subiaco)
Stats: 25 disposals (19 kicks, 6 handballs), 8 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal

FIRST QUARTER

Taking on a fresh challenge behind the ball, Tholstrup got his hands on it in the opening minute but took some time to find his rhythm and positioning. Four of his half-dozen disposals were kick-ins, though he used them quite well.

With a booming right boot, Tholstrup sent the ball all the way to defensive wing on a couple of occasions, but was also able to drill passes to teammates in space. His weaponous kicking set up Subiaco’s rebound, as runners would get to the fall of the ball and surge it forward at pace.

Tholstrup ended up finishing with the ball in his hands as he took the final mark of the quarter just before the siren, deep in defensive 50. He spent much of the term guarding space and plugging holes, before getting to work with ball in hand.

SECOND QUARTER

The early stages of term two again served as time for Tholstrup to acclimate, as he found himself rushed on a few disposals outside of his continued kick-in duties. He brought the ball back into play another four times, but also began to find the ball elsewhere.

Usually a dynamic marking target up forward, the bottom-ager got that side of his game going with a couple of terrific intercepts in the final 10 minutes. It seemed he just needed the first one to gain the confidence for what was to come. His kicking remained consistent both short and long, in a positive end to the half.

THIRD QUARTER

After a steady first five minutes or so, Tholstrup carried his intercept marking form into the third quarter with another couple inside defensive 50. One was uncontested as South Fremantle overcooked the forward 50 entry, but the second was a terrific contested grab.

His direct opponent got off the chain early, but Tholstrup showed good intensity when chasing up loose balls and cutting off Bulldogs attacks. He ended the term by chipping the ball around close to his own goal, as Subiaco ran the clock down.

FOURTH QUARTER

Having racked up 23 disposals and seven marks across three quarters down back, Tholstrup was thrust forward to try and win the game for his side. He very nearly marked off the first centre clearance, and had to search further afield to try and impose himself on the contest.

Tholstrup ended up with a goal from one of his two touches for the term, reading the ball well as it bounced over the back, before snapping home in style. Subiaco could not quite get the job done, but the goal meant Tholstrup maintained his streak of scoring in every Colts game this season.

In terms of how the defensive experiment went, it was a mixed bag of sorts. His athleticism, marking and kicking are all traits applicable to both intercept and rebound defenders, but he seems like a much more natural forward. Sandringham tried the same thing with Harry Sheezel last year for similar results.

At his best, Tholstrup is clearly a game-winning type who can do special things where it counts. He could well have helped his side win had he started forward or been thrown into the middle, but challenging him as a bottom-ager makes for valuable experience. He’ll be a key piece come finals time.