You campaigners need to lay off Tom Cole

[daddy_4_eyes]

Not sure if serious or a parody.

 

[BSD]

I don't believe you ive seen 2010 Brad Ebert

1 year of ebert turnovers is a lot less than 8-9 yrs of Cole's turnovers.

 

[ukurrie]

Not sure if serious or a parody.

I still think it is an AI generated post

 

[BSD]

He just passed it to a Geelong player in their forward 50nyou numpty

Wasn't he responsible for 4 turnovers in the Melbourne game that directly led to 4 goals.
That's enough proof to show he should be delisted at the end of the year.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I don't believe you ive seen 2010 Brad Ebert

Bloke was the inspiration for the old NES footy game:

 

[WA footy mad]

Tom Cole

28

Tom Cole

Age

28

Ht

188cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

110.3

2star

D

10.5

3star

K

6.3

3star

HB

4.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.5

3star

MG

110.3

2star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.8

4star

played his best game over the weekend, but apart from that performance i can see why people are asking for him to be relegated to the WAFL.

 

[ioppolo]

I thought he'd been in decent form this season...certainly seems in better form than 23 & 24. Except for that Melbourne game...that was a shocker.

 

[Matera92]

I hear Tom Cole

28

Tom Cole

Age

28

Ht

188cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.9

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

110.3

2star

D

10.5

3star

K

6.3

3star

HB

4.3

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.5

3star

MG

110.3

2star

D

9.8

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.8

4star

only refers to himself in the third person and sleeps in an oxygen tent as he believes it gives him sexual powers.

 

[The Gtrain]

Tom on live stream regarding this thread (or maybe the eagles)

 

[mattyc75]

Every team needs a whipping boy. If it's not Tom Cole, who is it?

Maric it seems, also oscar up until sunday

 

[Farang83150]

Will be Dugan soon

 

[Keys]

FWIW

 

[mattyc75]

FWIW

I'm sure cole would be very highly regarded by his team mates

 

[Quinten Kennedy]

I'm sure cole would be very highly regarded by his team mates

Best at reading the cues hands down.

 

[ioppolo]

Surely I'm not the only one sick of seeing Simmo commenting on anything Eagles related? Just move on already.

 

[Donkers]

Surely I'm not the only one sick of seeing Simmo commenting on anything Eagles related? Just move on already.

I don't mind Simmo in commentary. As far as i'm concerned if they could have Mundy and Simpson for special comments and **** Pav and Schofield off it would be a huge bonus all round.

 

[Tugga27]

Surely I'm not the only one sick of seeing Simmo commenting on anything Eagles related? Just move on already.

Hard to do when he's being asked questions about WC TBH.

It's a WA show.
Stands to reason he's going to be asked about the WA teams.

 

[Mighty Eagles]

I said to a couple of mates during the game that this was one of his best games for the club. That is really pleasing.

But he's 28 and one of our most experienced players in the side, so we (or the Match Committee to be totally frank) shouldn't continue to accept the lower level of performances that a range of players have been producing for some time now. He played well - that should be the expectation, not the exception.

He's out of contact at the end of this season and in my view one of six players who the club is considering whether or not they continue with or not. Let's not forget how abysmal he was when the chips were down earlier this year. He didn't touch it in the first half against the Giants. It wasn't due to a lack of opportunity, I assure you.

Let's hope he can be consistently brilliant and help to lead us out of the mess we're in.

 

[WCErevival]

Interesting comment by Simmo. I remember some people complaining last year that he was often caught in no man's land between 2 players. Obviously trying to cover both.

 

[bradee]

Nope I wanted him gone 2 years ago,offers us no run of half back,is not a particularly accurate or penetrative kick.The sooner he's replaced the better as far as I'm concerned,ideally by McCarthy who offers us attributes Cole doesnt (taking the game on,pace,some run and carry off half back.

 

[Astro7]

Interesting how Cole has a certain resignation about the permanency (or lack of)with his position. Must be stressy knowing there's always someone liable to take your job, when you're not a gun mid or KPP, for his whole career! But I guess it's no different to a normal job if you're underperforming.

 

[ArdentEagle]

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

I get the passion behind defending a club stalwart like Tom Cole, premiership player, team-first attitude, hard worker and absolutely, those things matter. But sentiment alone doesn’t justify selection, especially as we evolve into a new era where performance, impact, and ceiling have to take precedence over loyalty.


The reality is simple...One good game in ten just isn’t good enough anymore. Not in a side that’s trying to move out of the rebuild phase and into genuine competitiveness. We can’t afford to carry players who are depth quality at best. Yes, Cole’s a solid citizen and has shown courage on the occasion, but footy’s a performance based business. The fact he’s "held his spot" says more about our paper thin depth last few years than it does about his form now.


We’ve got promising kids hungry for opportunity, some with more dash, creativity, and long term upside than Cole. Every game we give to a player who’s plateaued is a game lost developing one who might be part of our next premiership tilt. Defensive accountability is crucial, yes but that’s not enough if it comes with limited rebound, low disposal efficiency, or a tendency to fade when the pressure’s on. Especially if his trump card attribute is a solid B at best.


Cole’s been a warrior, but we’re not in the business of rewarding past service forever. Depth player? Sure. Break glass in case of injury? Absolutely. But a weekly best 22 lock? Not anymore. Harsh? I don't think so.


(And Jamo may be a good bloke but he just can't get on the park. We need another in his spot to develop and keep pushing towards improving as a club)

 

[Ruben Grubarb]

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

Why are you talking to us, Tommy? Go speak to Mini. Or just be a better player.

 

[mattyc75]

Nope I wanted him gone 2 years ago,offers us no run of half back,is not a particularly accurate or penetrative kick.The sooner he's replaced the better as far as I'm concerned,ideally by McCarthy who offers us attributes Cole doesnt (taking the game on,pace,some run and carry off half back.

2 years ago cole was the only one offering run off half back. It looked like he was going against simmos gameplan

 

[Altum Volantes]

Nope I wanted him gone 2 years ago,offers us no run of half back,is not a particularly accurate or penetrative kick.The sooner he's replaced the better as far as I'm concerned,ideally by McCarthy who offers us attributes Cole doesnt (taking the game on,pace,some run and carry off half back.

He doesn't even play a rebounding half back role?...

If McCarthy is replacing anyone back there it's likely Maric or Duggan, guys who get the ball in their hands 20+ times a game (for better or worse...)

Guys like Cole can play key roles in defensive set ups as they gain more and more experience. Knowing where to be, directing traffic, being able to handle a close checking assignment and willing to sacrifice his own game at all times. What other experience do we have down back with McGovern likely done? Duggan? - (a different type as mentioned who impacts the most with ball in hand.)

Shannon Hurn played that role for us in his last few years when he pushed back closer to goal. Cole will never have that level of skill but he can continue to play a role in the backline - and will probably enjoy the team not conceding 70+ F50 entries every week eventually too.