Premiership defender Tom Cole bounced back in a big way this year after struggling to hit top gear in 2019. The 23-year-old played 14 of a possible 18 games and was incredibly efficient down back, hitting a career-best 84.1 per cent of his disposal targets in 2020. The Bendigo Pioneers product also added some new strings to his bow this year. He proved that he can mix it in the middle when he was thrown into the engine room late in the season when the club was short on centre line cattle. Cole also pushed forward on several occasions and kicked three goals in consecutive weeks in rounds 15, 16 and 17.
Standout performance:
Cole was one of West Coast’s busiest players when the club squared off against reigning premiers Richmond at Metricon Stadium in round 14. The plucky defender amassed a season-high 21 disposals, six contested possessions, four intercepts, three rebound 50s and 211 metres gained on a tough evening against the Tigers. The coaching panel adjudged him among the top three most influential Eagles afield, awarding him 13 of a possible 15 votes.
Season averages:
Disposals: 10.5
Contested possessions: 4.0
Intercepts: 4.0
Marks: 3.2
Rebound 50s: 1.7
One percenters: 1.7
Score involvements: 1.7
Disposal efficiency: 84.1%
2020 AFL statistical rankings:
16th: Effective disposals percentage per game
