STRENGTHS:

- Forward craft
- Class
- X-Factor
- Aerial ability
- Finishing

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Strength

It does not take an extensive viewing of Cole to see he has some genuine AFL level talent that would draw the attention of recruiters. He is a smooth-moving player with neat skills and a frame that will see him develop into a good size once he fills out after a few pre-seasons. At school and Colts level early in the season, Cole played predominantly in the midfield and showed his ability to accumulate the ball in the engine room to get the late call-up for WA. But it was the role he played for the Black Ducks as a hybrid forward that provided a glimpse into where he could play at the next level.

With defensive structures as stringent as ever in the modern game, forwards need to be able to hit the scoreboard in a variety of ways and Cole has shown that he has multiple avenues to find the big sticks.

He is a smart player who is good at finding space, timing his leads and hitting up at the ball carrier. He has also shown himself to be dangerous at ground level, particularly at forward stoppages where he has shown the ability to drift through the pack and manufacture a shot on goal in heavy traffic. In front of goal, he is a relatively reliable converter, with a technically sound set shot technique and kicking style helping him kick truly more often than not.

Cole is also good aerially for his size and can pluck a contested mark. He illustrated this in that second quarter burst against Vic Metro, where he soared above his opponent to bring down an excellent grab. This mark, among other pieces of play in his junior career, have shown his ability to create something from nothing in a mercurial fashion.

Physically, Cole is still quite raw and would likely require some development at a second tier level before he is ready to attack senior football. He also plays a role where it can be difficult to produce consistent output and as a result, some of Cole’s statistics may not jump off the page compared to other prospects.