{"id":184815,"date":"2025-04-01T11:43:45","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T01:43:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=184815"},"modified":"2025-04-01T11:43:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T01:43:46","slug":"preseason-qa-koby-coulson-suns-academy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/04\/01\/preseason-qa-koby-coulson-suns-academy\/","title":{"rendered":"Preseason Q&A: Koby Coulson (Suns Academy)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

THE GOLD Coast Suns Academy looks set to produce a crop which rivals that of 2023, which included four first round draftees. Among the prospects flying under the radar in a deep Queensland talent pool is Koby Coulson<\/a>, a tough midfielder-forward who models his game on Matt Rowell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After stress fractures scuppered his Under 16s year, Coulson showcased his talent as a bottom-ager with a particularly impressive outing for the Queensland Under 17s. He spent a portion of preseason training with the Suns’ senior group, and we caught up for a chat during the Queensland testing event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> MORE Q&As: <\/strong>Beau Addinsall<\/a> | Max Hudson<\/a> | Jai Murray<\/a> | Zeke Uwland<\/a> | Kalani White<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PRESEASON Q&A<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Q: Koby, can you walk me through your footballing journey?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>I\u2019ve played since I was five, started out doing Auskick stuff with Broadbeach Cats Juniors. Obviously just went through like the school system – South Coast, Queensland – did all that and it was around my 16th year where it really got serious, but I actually got injured. I got a stress fracture in my back. So I was out all my 16th year and then last year was my actual first full year doing footy. Now I got to do the preseason with the Suns, which was unreal. So yeah, it’s been a great journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have you had any important mentors along the way?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>A big one’s probably \u2018Deitzy\u2019, John Deitz<\/em><\/strong>. He\u2019s been huge. Also Rhys Shaw<\/em><\/strong>, he\u2019s been a huge mentor. Whenever I needed help on something I’d just give him a call and he’d help me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How’s your preseason been so far?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>It’s probably been my best preseason I’ve had numbers-wise, I’m pretty happy.  Strong, fit and keen for my 18th year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How would you describe yourself as a player?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>I’d say I’m a tough at the contest player. Very versatile. Move around the ground really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are some things you\u2019re looking to improve on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>I’m always trying to work on my clean hands, just being a one-touch player. That’s probably a big one of mine, and also when I’m playing more of a forward role, getting more forward than defence because I’m more of a defence-type player. I like helping out the defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> NATIONAL CHAMPS:<\/strong> Why the 2025 Allies can repeat history<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Do you watch a lot of football?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>Yeah, I watch most games throughout the weekend… I\u2019m a Suns fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Have any players from the senior group taken you under their wing?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>I’ve been really good mates at Wil Powell<\/strong> since I was like 12. He’s been a really big one. I go [for] coffee with him all the time, text him all the time, so he\u2019s been a big mentor for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What’s the connection there, how did you get to know him?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>I went on this camp, It was like a preseason camp to New Zealand with the Suns when I was 12 or so. I just clicked with him really well and we’ve been really good mates ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Are there any players you try to mould your game on?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>I try to mould my game a lot on Matt Rowell<\/strong>. I feel like just the way he’s tough at the contest, always fighting to get out. Tough tackler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Which teammates do you think we should look out for to have a big year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KC: <\/strong>Cooper Collins<\/a> and Max Hudson<\/a> should have a good year. They’re two that haven’t really got that much notice, but they should have a big year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>> AFL DRAFT:<\/strong> Northern Academy prospects pick their breakout contenders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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