- Sep 15, 2016
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You know, I’ve been reading through some of the threads on Bigfooty lately, and I have to say — the treatment of Tom Cole is starting to really grind my gears. It’s as if people have forgotten what kind of player he is, what he’s overcome, and more importantly, the role he plays in the fabric of this West Coast Eagles side. This whole pile-on mentality — singling him out as some sort of scapegoat for our wider team issues — it’s lazy, it’s short-sighted, and it completely ignores context.
Let’s start with the facts. Tom Cole is a premiership player. He’s stood up on the biggest stage in football and held his nerve when it mattered most. You don’t fluke your way into a flag — you earn it through consistent, team-first footy, and that’s exactly what Cole delivers. He’s not a flashy player, sure. He’s not going to rack up 30 touches or launch 60-metre bombs off half-back every week. But that’s not his role. He’s a reliable, accountable defender — one of the few in our side who still understands the meaning of defensive discipline.
Now, let’s not pretend the Eagles are flying. We’re in a rebuild, injuries have decimated our list, and we’ve got a bunch of young blokes learning the ropes in high-pressure roles. And through all of that, Tom Cole has been there — doing the hard yards, shutting down dangerous small forwards, and playing with courage and commitment. But does Bigfooty acknowledge that? Of course not. Instead, there’s thread after thread picking apart every mistake, every turnover, every imperfect contest, as if the rest of the team is performing like premiership contenders. Spoiler: they’re not.
There’s this strange expectation that Cole should somehow be both a lockdown defender and an attacking weapon. That’s not his game. Never has been. What he is, is someone who plays his role, sacrifices for his teammates, and leads by example. And coming off a serious ankle injury that kept him out for nearly all of 2023, he deserves a hell of a lot more respect than what he’s getting. The fact that he’s come back into the side and is holding his spot while others have faltered says a lot.
The truth is, we need experienced heads like Tom Cole in the team right now. He helps steady the backline, he sets standards, and he brings that hard-nosed edge that so many of our younger players are still learning. Dropping him just to appease an impatient online crowd would be a huge mistake — a knee-jerk reaction that ignores the bigger picture.
So no, Tom Cole shouldn’t be dropped. He shouldn’t be targeted. He should be backed in — by the coaches, the club, and yes, even by the fans. Because players like him — humble, tough, and loyal — are the kind you build your next era around, not cast aside.
And also lay off Jamo. He's a good bloke probably
Let’s start with the facts. Tom Cole is a premiership player. He’s stood up on the biggest stage in football and held his nerve when it mattered most. You don’t fluke your way into a flag — you earn it through consistent, team-first footy, and that’s exactly what Cole delivers. He’s not a flashy player, sure. He’s not going to rack up 30 touches or launch 60-metre bombs off half-back every week. But that’s not his role. He’s a reliable, accountable defender — one of the few in our side who still understands the meaning of defensive discipline.
Now, let’s not pretend the Eagles are flying. We’re in a rebuild, injuries have decimated our list, and we’ve got a bunch of young blokes learning the ropes in high-pressure roles. And through all of that, Tom Cole has been there — doing the hard yards, shutting down dangerous small forwards, and playing with courage and commitment. But does Bigfooty acknowledge that? Of course not. Instead, there’s thread after thread picking apart every mistake, every turnover, every imperfect contest, as if the rest of the team is performing like premiership contenders. Spoiler: they’re not.
There’s this strange expectation that Cole should somehow be both a lockdown defender and an attacking weapon. That’s not his game. Never has been. What he is, is someone who plays his role, sacrifices for his teammates, and leads by example. And coming off a serious ankle injury that kept him out for nearly all of 2023, he deserves a hell of a lot more respect than what he’s getting. The fact that he’s come back into the side and is holding his spot while others have faltered says a lot.
The truth is, we need experienced heads like Tom Cole in the team right now. He helps steady the backline, he sets standards, and he brings that hard-nosed edge that so many of our younger players are still learning. Dropping him just to appease an impatient online crowd would be a huge mistake — a knee-jerk reaction that ignores the bigger picture.
So no, Tom Cole shouldn’t be dropped. He shouldn’t be targeted. He should be backed in — by the coaches, the club, and yes, even by the fans. Because players like him — humble, tough, and loyal — are the kind you build your next era around, not cast aside.
And also lay off Jamo. He's a good bloke probably
