Adrian Cole Draft Profile

Sandringham DragonsKey Defender

#20

Adrian Cole

height: 194cm

weight:

D.O.B: 05-01-2006

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A reliable lockdown defender who competes hard one-on-one and is capable of matching it with both athletic and strong key forwards.” – Michael Alvaro

Adrian Cole may not be the most flashy prospect in the draft pool, but he’s one who plays a role each week. While other players full of potential and attacking flair run up the rungs of the draft order, his reliability as a lockdown defender has put him firmly in draft calculations. The St Kilda Next Generation Academy member was a mainstay for Sandringham in its third consecutive premiership, playing 15 games this year.

He was named vice-captain for 2024 off three appearances as a bottom-ager, and turned into one of the side’s most reliable assets – likely often among the first selected each week. Cole’s ability to shut down the opposition’s best tall forward saw him earn a call-up for Vic Metro’s Under 18 side, where he played three games en route to taking out the National Championships title in an epic decider at Marvel Stadium.

With his ties to St Kilda, Cole was also afforded the opportunity to make his VFL debut with affiliated side, Sandringham Zebras. He turned out twice at state league level, doing so alongside fellow Saints NGA prospect Lennox Hofmann, and father-son hopeful Elwood Peckett. Cole is also a terrific leader and was a finalist for this year’s Coates Talent League Boys Personal Growth Award.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

STRENGTHS:

+ Competitiveness
+ Defensive craft
+ Leadership
+ One-on-ones
+ Reading the play
+ Strength

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Offensive outfit
- Production

Cole is one of the most persistent and reliable role players in this year's crop, particularly among the talls. The loss of Nathan Murphy in Collingwood's defensive unit has outlined the need for dour lockdown types amongst all the athletic interceptors and powerful rebounders who feature high up the draft order. Cole fits into the former category, and may be in high demand given some clubs will have to prioritise that kind of archetype.

He was often tasked with taking on the opposition's best key forward this year and claimed some handy scalps. His battle with Jobe Shanahan in Round 11 of the Coates Talent League was enthralling, with the Bendigo Pioneers spearhead booting one goal from 13 disposals and 11 marks. Cole also kept GWV Rebels gun Jonty Faull goalless in the Grand Final, limiting his ability to mark inside 50 despite arguably being beaten up the ground.

The 194cm backman is as strong as they come at junior level. His well developed frame allows him to split one-on-one jostles and bring the ball to ground with body spoils. In that sense, he is a great competitor who is difficult to get a hold of in a contest or on the lead. In the latter scenario, he has the durability to match it with opponents for four quarters, hardly wavering in his effort and success rate defensively.

Cole is also a terrific leader, as his Sandringham Dragons vice-captaincy would attest to, and marshals his teammates behind the ball with vocal direction. Where he can begin to add strings to his bow is on the offensive side of the game. Cole cracked double-digits for disposals in just five of 15 Coates Talent League games this season, averaging 7.7 disposals, 1.7 marks, and 2.7 rebound 50s. His highest tallies were 12, four, and five respectively.

Being able to not only equalise contests, but win them and intercept mark will only make Cole all the more effective. He is also capable of taking the game on with bursts of speed and dare, albeit requiring greater composure when doing so. He can be quite versatile too, having played in the ruck, forward, and even on the wing throughout his junior career and stints in local footy. Enhancing his production level is key.

DRAFT RANGE: 30-50

SUMMARY:

Draft picks are big investments for clubs and Cole offers safety in the sense he is a consistent performer, willing role player, and good character. His niche as a lockdown defender is what many clubs will be searching for, although his ties to St Kilda mean he will likely continue to call Moorabbin home at AFL level. Cole had shot into top 30 calculations during the middle of the year and a club may genuinely require his services in that range, triggering a bid, but he is more likely to land a little later on in the National Draft.

AFL U18 Championships

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	CP	UP	T	HO	CLR	I50	R50	GL	GM	K	H	D	M	HO	T	G	DC
2024	Vic Metro	14	10	24	8	10	12	2	0	0	2	6	0	3	4.7	3.3	8.0	2.7	0.0	0.7	0.0	32
Total	-	14	10	24	8	10	12	2	0	0	2	6	0	3	4.7	3.3	8.0	2.7	0.0	0.7	0.0	32

Coates Talent League Boys

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	T	I50	R50	GM	K	H	D	M	T	DC
2023	Sandringham Dragons	9	4	13	2	3	1	7	3	3.0	1.3	4.3	0.7	1.0	17
2024	Sandringham Dragons	68	48	116	26	24	7	40	15	4.5	3.2	7.7	1.7	1.6	29
Total	-	77	52	129	28	27	8	47	18	4.3	2.9	7.2	1.6	1.5	46