Richard Cole

[Rozza44]

lol, this guy is the most underrated rookie in the AFL for sure.
I was reading ur guys MVP votes and Cole ended up on 2!!
But didnt he come like in the top 8 of Collingwoods best and fairest

Most people seem to judge him on his mistakes, but not on wat he does for the team

IMO 1 of his disposals are worth 2 from other players who run off half back

 

[Stakerz]

Yeah. I love the guy. have loved him since he started playing for collingwood
only because he plays for collingwood, and probably because he's an aboriginal.

 

[Cassius_Clay]

lol, this guy is the most underrated rookie in the AFL for sure.
I was reading ur guys MVP votes and Cole ended up on 2!!
But didnt he come like in the top 8 of Collingwoods best and fairest

Most people seem to judge him on his mistakes, but not on wat he does for the team

IMO 1 of his disposals are worth 2 from other players who run off half back

why??

 

[MarkT]

Bizarre theory that one. His disposal is nothing exceptional by any stretch. He has some promise but has a fair bit of improving to do yet. He has played a lot more footy based on future potential than actual contribution. His progression has been fairly steady. I think he’ll be good.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

I like Cole because by and large he plays to his strengths.

He's not a great kick, but he's incredibly fast, and good with his hands, so often he'll run the ball, and fire off a handpass to a teammate, instead of trying to kick it long himself.

I actually think he's a decent short passer, just not a good long kick, which may come down to not having enough leg strength, which should come as he continues to bulk up.

Cole is a good hard working player, and is actually a very good man to man defender (his lockdown on Phil Matera this year was a good example), and highly accountable. He could have a future as a tagger in the midfielder actually, because no one would ever get away from him with his pace.

 

[Pedro]

Cole is a good hard working player, and is actually a very good man to man defender (his lockdown on Phil Matera this year was a good example)

I like Cole but I think he was pretty lucky that night. Matera had a pig of a game, dropping easy chest marks etc. Could've been very different.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

I like Cole but I think he was pretty lucky that night. Matera had a pig of a game, dropping easy chest marks etc. Could've been very different.

That's true to an extent, but he's got various other examples of exemplarary defense in his history too.

 

[trizzles]

I have no doubt that Coley will be a great player for the CFC. His tough and "stop at no costs" attitude plays an integral role in the defence and his ability to run through the lines is something that shouldn't go unnoticed from fans. IMO, he was deservedly rewarded with 6th in the B and F and has also come under the guard of supporters who voted him 2nd in the MVP. People are looking back asking themselves "geez, how did that happen?" as they believe Coley not to be a player considered worthy for such a position yet. The truth is however, that Coley worked his butt off all year and his efforts in a weakened defence throughout the year were what I'd consider exceptional for largely a second year AFL player. Very rarely would Coley let you down and lower his colours. He is mature well beyond his years and I can only see season 2004 doing good for Coley and the other young blokes in defence.
It is widely noticed that Coley's kicking is a glaring weakness in his game. However, I don't think people realise how much work and time Coley has spent this year trying to improve his disposal (and from both sides of his body). I have noticed an improvement, even if many out there choose to remain stubborn and not see improvement. He won't have foot skills like Buckley and improvement in such an area is a very gradual process, but Coley is on the right track, and with his unflagging and self-willed attitude, we will all see a vast improvement in this area of Coley's game. Like Johnson a few years back (who had kicking skills far worse than Coley), Coley has put his head down in an attempt to rectify his problem. We have learnt to be savage on Coley for his errors in disposal, because it is almost inbuilt that his kicking will at some stage let us down throughout a match, however we fail to truly recognise errors of other players who we believe to have by far superior foot skills. For example, if a player like Lonie or Clement were to make a disposal error (I won't include Bucks), nothing comes of it, but if Coley were to make one, it is suddenly the end of the world and we all have a right to hammer this young kid. I sincerely hope that this mindset of supporters can be quashed and that they can come into 2005 with a new and enthusiastic approach, because I believe that next year, Coley will display his true worth and earn the respect he deserves as a young player in the Collingwood backline or midfield.
I know we all try to find reasons for rough edges in a player's game, like the problems with Coley's kicking. Coley is a strong lad and possesses leg strength which is more than adequate for a top level player. I don't believe this to hinder his disposal too much. It must be noted, though, that Coley has put on bulk over the early pre-season work and has been determined to come back fitter, stronger and firing for the 2005 season.
I met Coley in 2002 as a young boy who had come from the NT before he had played with the Eastern Ranges. He was shy, but a kid who oozed potential, however seemed lost in the big world that is AFL football. He received an early feel of AFL football that year and has since advanced in leaps and bounds. I respect him for the person he is, for the player he is and the role that he plays within the Collingwood team. Perhaps we take for granted what Coley brings to the team with his run and uncompromising attitude in defence. It is something which is certainly not unnoticed from fellow players or a minority of fans who truly appreciate his efforts week in, week out. I just urge fellow supporters out there, whether fans or critics, to give Coley a chance to truly blossom as an AFL player in 2005. I, for one, believe that any doubts we had about this fine young player will be soon forgotten once the Pies have a few wins under their belt in 2005.

- Proud President of the DJ and Coley Bandwagons

 

[Cassius_Clay]

I have no doubt that Coley will be a great player for the CFC. His tough and "stop at no costs" attitude plays an integral role in the defence and his ability to run through the lines is something that shouldn't go unnoticed from fans. IMO, he was deservedly rewarded with 6th in the B and F and has also come under the guard of supporters who voted him 2nd in the MVP. People are looking back asking themselves "geez, how did that happen?" as they believe Coley not to be a player considered worthy for such a position yet. The truth is however, that Coley worked his butt off all year and his efforts in a weakened defence throughout the year were what I'd consider exceptional for largely a second year AFL player. Very rarely would Coley let you down and lower his colours. He is mature well beyond his years and I can only see season 2004 doing good for Coley and the other young blokes in defence.
It is widely noticed that Coley's kicking is a glaring weakness in his game. However, I don't think people realise how much work and time Coley has spent this year trying to improve his disposal (and from both sides of his body). I have noticed an improvement, even if many out there choose to remain stubborn and not see improvement. He won't have foot skills like Buckley and improvement in such an area is a very gradual process, but Coley is on the right track, and with his unflagging and self-willed attitude, we will all see a vast improvement in this area of Coley's game. Like Johnson a few years back (who had kicking skills far worse than Coley), Coley has put his head down in an attempt to rectify his problem. We have learnt to be savage on Coley for his errors in disposal, because it is almost inbuilt that his kicking will at some stage let us down throughout a match, however we fail to truly recognise errors of other players who we believe to have by far superior foot skills. For example, if a player like Lonie or Clement were to make a disposal error (I won't include Bucks), nothing comes of it, but if Coley were to make one, it is suddenly the end of the world and we all have a right to hammer this young kid. I sincerely hope that this mindset of supporters can be quashed and that they can come into 2005 with a new and enthusiastic approach, because I believe that next year, Coley will display his true worth and earn the respect he deserves as a young player in the Collingwood backline or midfield.
I know we all try to find reasons for rough edges in a player's game, like the problems with Coley's kicking. Coley is a strong lad and possesses leg strength which is more than adequate for a top level player. I don't believe this to hinder his disposal too much. It must be noted, though, that Coley has put on bulk over the early pre-season work and has been determined to come back fitter, stronger and firing for the 2005 season.
I met Coley in 2002 as a young boy who had come from the NT before he had played with the Eastern Ranges. He was shy, but a kid who oozed potential, however seemed lost in the big world that is AFL football. He received an early feel of AFL football that year and has since advanced in leaps and bounds. I respect him for the person he is, for the player he is and the role that he plays within the Collingwood team. Perhaps we take for granted what Coley brings to the team with his run and uncompromising attitude in defence. It is something which is certainly not unnoticed from fellow players or a minority of fans who truly appreciate his efforts week in, week out. I just urge fellow supporters out there, whether fans or critics, to give Coley a chance to truly blossom as an AFL player in 2005. I, for one, believe that any doubts we had about this fine young player will be soon forgotten once the Pies have a few wins under their belt in 2005.

- Proud President of the DJ and Coley Bandwagons

i really couldnt be fukd reading all of that

 

[trizzles]

Well read what the bloody hell you like! Personally I don't care if people can't be bothered reading it. It is my assessment of a good young player who I feel is deserved of what I wrote. Whether people like you and others out there choose not to read it, I won't be devastated that's for sure.

 

[Murray]

At this stage of his career his is "a good ordinary player", as someone else once said.
I do like the way he tackles though.

 

[Jimmy04]

i really couldnt be fukd reading all of that

well if you cant be "fukd" reading it then dont make a reply quoting it. what trizzles has to say, if you actually read it, makes a lot of sense and is very insightful, but i spose you, brilliant pies, wouldnt know that.
i beleive that coley does have what it takes to make it in afl football, and while his kick isn't the best going around he is certainly a "good ordinary player", as opposed to an 'ordinary ordinary player'. this is certainly nothing against him, as there are not many top notch players going around.

 

[Cassius_Clay]

well if you cant be "fukd" reading it then dont make a reply quoting it. what trizzles has to say, if you actually read it, makes a lot of sense and is very insightful, but i spose you, brilliant pies, wouldnt know that.
i beleive that coley does have what it takes to make it in afl football, and while his kick isn't the best going around he is certainly a "good ordinary player", as opposed to an 'ordinary ordinary player'. this is certainly nothing against him, as there are not many top notch players going around.

well you would rekon it would make sense considering it went for fukn ages

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

well you would rekon it would make sense considering it went for fukn ages

I would've thought having literacy skills and actually reading things would be a requirement for wanting to post on a message board...

It took me about a minute and a half to read, if that. Your time is not put to good enough use that you can't read an intelligent comment, but perhaps the capability to do so eludes you.

 

[Jimmy04]

well you would rekon it would make sense considering it went for fukn ages

no it made sense because i actually read it.

 

[Pedro]

That's true to an extent, but he's got various other examples of exemplarary defense in his history too.

Agreed. He's got a way to go yet, but I'm confident he'll be a real player. I just thought he could've been made to look really silly that night. A bit like when Tex played on Richo and held him to 1 goal in Rd 1 '03. (Could've been 7 if he kicked straight)

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

But in fairness to Tex, he gave him nothing in any easy positions, all of Richo's shots were coming from poor angles and outside 50, plus the fact that Tex beat him in the first couple of 1 on 1 contests that night surely shook Richo's confidence, contributing to the poor kicking. I'm not saying that it was part of the plan, but it did contribute, so it can be included when tlaking about the good game he played on him.

Likewise, with Cole, he was always shadowing Matera, and that likely played a part in his inability to take a chest mark *cough*footsteps*cough*

 

[yikes]

I like Cole but that night when he played against Matera, Matera had a dog of a night. Richie was caught behind on many occasions to find Matera drop a mark or the ball would go over Materas head and Cole would have picked up the loose ball.

 

[Pedro]

Likewise, with Cole, he was always shadowing Matera, and that likely played a part in his inability to take a chest mark *cough*footsteps*cough*

Maybe Matera knows also that the day will come soon when Richie knocks some poor bugger into next week with one of his tackles

 

[NICK THE PIE MAN]

Cole has potential and talent, but like a lot of other youngsters on our list, should be doing more.

 

[Johnson#26]

He will become a gun. Great skills, fast and tackles to hurt. Really stepping up as a leader at training. Will be an All-Australian by the time he retires.

 

[Jabso]

Cole's 2004 was underated.
He is my favorite player and I really rate him. So I am always defending him.
I think he will be a great player for CFC.
About his kicking, as a youngster his kicking skills we really highly rated. This was probably because of the slow pace of the u18 comp or lack of pressure. He has a pretty good action IMO but he kicks too short or over the head of his target. This could be due to his pace. His mis-kicks are nearly always on the run with space ahead which could mean by the time he picks a target and then decides to kick it he has run another 5 to ten metres. He just needs a little adjustment and his kicking skills will be neat.
Maybe in 2005 he will get more time in the midfield and we will see his more attacking side of the game which comes more natural to him.
I don't know why seemingly everyone overlooks this guy. Probably everyone is thinking 'just another back pocket specialist he'll be nothing special'.
As I have mentioned before I rate him on a par with Didak. Didak has had one more year on Cole and IMO Cole is ahead of Didak when he was at this stage in his career. Sure Didak showed more exciting talent, but Cole is far more consistant.

 

[FIGJAM]

I loved Richie's second game against Essendon this year. He was positively bursting and the potential was there for all to see. I think he is the type of player that needs to get his confidence right and then everything else will follow. He'll step up soon, like Johnno did this year.

 

[eddiesmith]

Cole has done 1 good thing, and wont do another, Not as bad as Walker but close to that level of dudness.

For some reason gives Internet Pie Fans a hard on like Maxwell.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I used to not like him because he did a bit "too much" but now he maturing with age and becoming a great player.