St Kilda Next Generation Academy talent Adrian Cole enjoyed a successful 2024, holding down roles for the Sandringham Dragons and Vic Metro to boost his prospects ahead of the draft.
The Saints are in line to benefit from the AFL's recent easing of restrictions surrounding Academy bids at the draft, with Cole a chance to have his name called in the first 40 picks.
The 194cm defender had a promising campaign in the Dragons' premiership-winning Talent League season, playing 15 games as a dependable lockdown option on the opposition's best forward.
Using his athleticism and having a good read on a flighted ball, Cole was able to get the better of his matchups in the air on most occasions this year to emerge as one of the better key defenders on offer.
His form would rise with the expectations at the U18s National Championships in Vic Metro's undefeated carnival, with Cole amassing averages of 1.7 intercept marks, 3.0 spoils and 4.7 intercept possessions per game across his trio of appearances.
Cole got an early glimpse of VFL action this year too, playing a pair of games for St Kilda's reserves, the Sandringham Zebras, against Essendon and Richmond's VFL sides.
After a quiet opening outing, Cole showed great improvement in his second game at the state league level against the Tigers, recording 10 possessions and three marks against mature opposition.
Add to his pace and agility, Cole was able to prove his capacity as an endurance athlete, finishing seventh in the 2km time trial at October's AFL Draft Combine.
A bid for Cole could come as early as the first round of the draft but is more likely in the second half of the count, with the Saints prepared to match a bid for their NGA product.
The addition of Cole could see the Saints fill their new Sandringham Zebras quota, with the club committing to drafting one player from their VFL pathways.
Position: Defender
Height: 194cm
State: Victoria
Club:St Bedes/Mentone
One-On-One Defending
Athleticism
Vertical
Aerobic Capacity
Leadership
Pick 30-Late
St Kilda (Matched Bid)
"Athletic tall defender who competes furiously and is rarely beaten in one-on-one situations. With his height and natural leap, he has shown all season the ability to match up well with the opposition's most dangerous tall forwards and lockdown when needed." - Kevin Sheehan