Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Tom Cole forward line move has given the West Coast Eagles veteran fresh energy late in his AFL career, with the 2018 premiership defender hoping his new role can help extend his time at the top level.

Cole was dropped after West Coast’s round one loss to Gold Coast and spent six weeks in the WAFL before returning in round eight, but his recent shift to high half-forward has quickly added value.

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Cole Enjoying New Attacking Role

The 29-year-old kicked just the seventh and eighth goals of his 138-game AFL career in West Coast’s six-point loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

West Coast’s forward stocks have been hit by long-term injuries to Jamie Cripps, Jacob Newton and Noah Long, while coach Andrew McQualter felt Cole’s work rate and pressure would fit the role.

“I’ve been sending a few messages into the back-line group chat, just telling them to spoil and get it into us, and they haven’t taken that too well,” Cole joked.

“I’m a defender at heart, and probably always will be, but it’s been a nice little change-up.

“It’s been something really different, but at the same time, I’ve played on some good forwards over my journey, so I know the running patterns of a forward, what good forwards do, because I’ve had some goals kicked on my from good forwards.

“I think goal-kicking can be a bit mental . . . I haven’t practised a whole lot over my 10 years with my routine or anything, so I’ve just kept it simple and tried to go back and kick them.

“It’s been a fun few weeks, something completely different. Whether it’s for the long term, I don’t know, but I’m enjoying at the moment.”

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West Coast Eye North Melbourne Response

Cole signed a one-year contract extension last September after a strong finish to the season, but he is not looking too far ahead.

“I’m not really looking too far ahead, to be honest. I’m just trying to put my best foot forward and play some good footy. I think I’ve still got some good footy left in me,” he said.

West Coast will chase their fifth win of the season against North Melbourne on Saturday before the mid-season bye.