STRENGTHS:

+ Agility
+ Consistency
+ Contested ball
+ Tackling
+ Toughness
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Kicking composure
- Polish

Coulson is an inside midfielder with genuine weapons. His agility and power are desirable traits in the modern game which he uses just about every time he possesses the ball. Coulson plays in short bursts, able to take quick steps or wrong-foot an opponent before disposing He's a neat and creative distributor by hand, but also gains plenty of meterage with penetrating long kicks out of the middle.

Being his side's driving force at the source is central to Coulson's impact. He is a dogged two-way competitor, able to win his own ball or shut down opposition exits from the contest. When in possession, he consistently finds a way forward either by linking up with teammates via hand, or by charging through traffic and dumping the ball inside 50. That kind of surge style doesn't allow the opposition defence to settle.

A good game from Coulson is incredibly high-production, racking up disposals, clearances, and inside 50s at will. While tough and combative on the inside, he leant on his work rate around the ground to add an accumulation factor to his game this year. Running in waves and chaining possessions is central to how many top level teams move the ball, and Coulson has proven capable of getting involved in that manner.

He brings a real 'get up and go again' type of approach, which can drag teammates along for the ride. That style is effective in its directness, although Coulson can still work on adding touches of polish to his skillset. His no-nonsense clearance kicks could sometimes benefit from greater composure, with Coulson having the turn of speed to drive his legs and find space, thus opening up easier targets.

While quite a sharp short kicker, he is prone to blazing away at times. Coulson has also sought to continue improving his one-touch ability at the contest, and put a focus on allowing himself to play a more attacking role at times, rather than being so defensive-minded. The latter has worked nicely, as he hit the scoreboard semi-regularly this season and provided his forwards with quick and deep supply.