SUBIACO midfielder-forward Koltyn Tholstrup continued his footballing education at senior level on Saturday, playing an underrated role in the Lions’ upset win over Claremont.

In just his second WAFL League game, the powerful teenager spent plenty of time manning Tigers gun Jye Bolton, keeping the usually prolific state-leaguer to just 11 disposals in Claremont’s back half.

Tholstrup was fresh off commitments with the National Academy in Adelaide and slotted straight back into Subiaco’s starting side. He comes under the microscope for this week’s WAFL Player Focus.

SubiacoForward

Koltyn Tholstrup

Height: 186cm

Weight: 86kg

DOB: 28-06-2005

STORY SO FAR

Tholstrup came into his top-age campaign as one of Western Australia’s most highly touted draft prospects. He cut his teeth mainly as a medium forward in Subiaco’s Colts side last year, but also rotated through midfield and even got exposure in defence.

He was one of the few bottom-agers to get an extended run in his state’s Under 18 representative team, turning out across all four National Championship games. He was duly selected in the Under 17 Futures showcase on AFL Grand Final day, and included in the 2023 National Academy.

After a full preseason with the Subiaco’s seniors, Tholstrup made his League debut in Round 1 and hardly looked out of place, kicking 1.3 from 15 disposals and four marks in a win against Perth. His journey continued in Round 3, and looks like carrying on in impressive fashion.

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PLAYER FOCUS

2023 WAFL League Round 3
Subiaco 14.10 (94) def. Claremont 10.10 (70)

#11 Koltyn Tholstrup (Subiaco)
Stats: 11 disposals (9 kicks, 2 handballs), 4 marks, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

FIRST QUARTER

In a game with plenty of feeling in it from the opening exchanges, Tholstrup got his hands on the ball almost instantly. Just as Claremont was lining up a set shot in the first 90 seconds, he was awarded a free kick off the ball and sent a neat pass from half-back to defensive wing.

Tasked with a tough job on Bolton, the confident teen displayed good defensive awareness both at stoppage and in general play, while also hunting the ball with intent and doing the little things – like shepherding through a Ryan Borchet goal.

Along with making a pest of himself, Tholstrup registered three touches in the opening quarter, including a shallow forward 50 entry. His third possession also came after a one-on-one marking duel, where the youngster recovered first to collect and dish off a handball.

SECOND QUARTER

The second quarter saw Tholstrup convert from a permanent forward to just about exclusively operating through midfield, thrown into the cut and thrust of the centre bounces. Unsurprisingly, he continued to shadow Bolton and the mature-ager would hardly find respite on-ball.

Though his stoppage impact was limited in a ball winning sense, Tholstrup managed to prize a single clearance towards the end of the period, booting the ball wide to the wing as opponents closed in on him.

That was one of the 17-year-old’s two touches for the term, with his other coming via an uncontested mark in the corridor. He slightly overcooked the resultant kick inside 50, but played his part in Subiaco’s fluent end-to-end transition.

THIRD QUARTER

After his foray in midfield, Tholstrup was shifted forward and had another relatively quiet quarter on the offensive end. He continued to harass Bolton and wasn’t about to back down, dragging him to the goalsquare and getting in his face.

He also worked high up the ground, nabbing one of his two possessions at half-back as Subiaco turned defence into attack on the turnover. His only other touch was a long kick to the hot spot inside 50, showcasing a glimpse of his power and smarts.

FOURTH QUARTER

In a ploy indicative of Tholstrup’s game as a whole, he rotated steadily between midfield and forward in the final quarter, starting in attack. The fourth was his most prolific term, adding three four kicks, two marks and a goal to put the cherry on top of his performance.

As had been the case all day, the teenager was clean and composed with his fundamentals, proving efficient in possession and moving the ball on quickly with little fuss. He went hard on the celebration for his joe-the-goose goal too, giving an insight into the type of confidence and character he brings.

CLOSING THOUGHTS…

Shutting down a seasoned state league veteran at 17 years of age in just your second senior game is certainly one way to impress your coaches and AFL recruiters alike. Tholstrup is already lauded for his explosive traits and damaging work with the ball, but playing such a significant role without it was arguably just as impressive.

He looks more than up to the standard at League level and has the frame to fare well against mature bodies. Hopefully as the season progresses he can continue to showcase his flair and become a true ‘Kolt’ hero among this year’s draft crop. He sits comfortably within the first round range, and will only boost his stocks with more of the same exploits.