Coming in at a whopping 6'5" at just 17 years of age, there's excitingly still plenty of room for STK Academy member Adrian Cole to grow, both in terms of physical stature and footballing ability. 

A member of the Moorabbin Airport-sponsored Elite Talent Program run out of the club's training base at RSEA Park, Cole will be eligible for next year's AFL Draft, but has continued to catch the eye since he was first scouted out four years ago; something only furthered by his recent appearance on AFL 360 alongside STK Academy graduates Mitch Owens and Marcus Windhager.

An athletic utility who has plied his trade this year predominantly as a key back, Cole is beginning to fully hit his strides after making a return from a shoulder reconstruction in 2021 which ruled him out of action for the better part of 10 months.

Despite his time on the sidelines, the 17-year-old has ensured to make the most of his time in STK Academy, utilising everything on offer to prepare himself for not only a strong comeback season, but for next year's all-important draft.

Offering players from multicultural and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds opportunities to progress their individual development and footballing ability, Moorabbin Airport STK Academy has produced seven graduates who have since been recruited to AFL clubs, including current Saints Owens, Windhager and Category B Rookie Angus McLennan.

Learn more about Cole's progression through the club's Academy, the key lessons he took out of his time in injury rehab, plus plenty more as his ambitions for an AFL breakthrough inch closer to reality.

You've been a part of STK Academy since you were 13 years old, but had to choose between pursuing a career in footy or basketball. Was it a tough decision?

Yes and no. I grew up in a big footy household. My mum’s side are big Swans fans and have always been big supporters of the game. My father’s from Nigeria and he wasn’t really familiar with AFL at all until he met my mum… he loves it now! 

I chose footy because I love it, and I knew that deep down it was what I wanted to do. I was doing at least two sessions a day between basketball and footy; every day would just be training, training, training. It was getting a bit full-on and it got to the point where I was like ‘well I’ve got to pick between one of them’. 

I think my family did have a bit of a role in me choosing the footy path, but that’s how I got here in the end. I’ve been part of STK Academy for a few years now and have loved it.

Every year the program kept on developing; they’d be introducing physios and nutritionists to give us more resources which has been amazing. 

It hasn't always been smooth sailing and you missed a large chunk of footy through significant injury. That must have been a tough patch to go through.

For sure. It was late 2021 when I did my shoulder, just in a game playing in the ruck. I reached out to our physio Amy Decker and she told me to get a scan and I got the bad news. I was out for 10 months with a full reco, and with COVID, it pushed back the operation about four months, so I had to wait a while just to get surgery.

I had to go through that process of rehab, but I was lucky enough to have all the support during that time. It was really beneficial for me going through that whole process and being able to do it through the Academy. I’ve been really appreciative of that.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons from that experience and I feel I’ve been able to continue my development even more. Especially with the Danny Frawley Centre, those resources have helped with recovery and now with Brendon Goddard in the Head Coach role, I’m just loving everything that the Academy has given us.

That experience would have shaped you as a footballer quite a bit. What have you taken out of that time?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is just how important the little things are.

There’s an analogy Nick Dal Santo used to use: if you leave from a certain airport (I can't remember which one!) you could go to Mali, but one degree different would get you to Barcelona. Just one little degree can change your whole destination, so that’s stuck with me a bit.

All the little recovery sessions I’ve been doing at the Danny Frawley Centre that I’ve been fortunate to get access to… that's taught me how much the little things matter and how you can only control the controllables.

It’s not always about the destination, but the journey, and that’s something this year that’s definitely been evident for me. 

Now you're back in the thick of it, how has this year been for you?

This year’s been great, I haven’t missed any games and I’ve been able to play for six different teams, so it’s a good feeling getting the body right and get some continuity into my footy.

I’ve seen this year as a big development year. It’s been a relief to get back into the swing of things and to play some good footy.

Your STK Academy teammate Josh Docking had a chance to train with the Saints earlier in the year. Have you had a chance to do something like that yet?

I haven’t been yet! That’s obviously a goal of mine to be able to get amongst those AFL boys, but hopefully I will be able to in the future.

I did AFL 360 with Mitch and Marcus which was such a good experience, and I’ve got to know Isaac Keeler and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera a little bit because I do the All-Nations Program as well. Aunty Katrina Amon and Trent Dennis-Lane have been amazing in running that program and it's been terrific to be a part of.

It's not often you get on the desk with Gerard and Robbo before playing a game, let alone being drafted!

Absolutely, it was such a great experience. I said I was 6’4” when Robbo asked me, but a few people reckon I’m a bit taller! 

The next day at school everyone was talking about it! They all got around it. I guess it goes back to being so grateful for the Academy, because opportunities like that don’t come by every day. 

Brendon Goddard has recently come in as STK Academy's Head Coach. What's it been like to learn from someone of his calibre?

BJ’s been great. I’ve only been able to have two runs with him so far because some of the sessions clash with Sandringham Dragons, but the ones I’ve had I’ve really enjoyed.

He’s a different coach to Dal in terms of how they implement things, but they’ve been good in their own way. He’s more of a direct coach, he’s straight to the point and he’ll tell you how it is, which I’ve liked. He’s very easy to talk to and he’s been so good for my development, despite only knowing him for a short time. 

Tell us a bit about yourself as a footballer. Your height must allow you to thrive in multiple positions.

This year I’ve been playing more as a key defender. I think I’m pretty athletic as a utility and can move around a bit, and there’s been games I’ve played as a forward, back, ruck and I’ve played along the wing at local footy.

Wherever the team needs me, I just try to play my role to help them win, which has been as a key back this year.

I’ve been playing in different positions and roles that are required of you, but being able to play to my strengths has been a big thing for me this year. Using my athleticism, being able use my run and competing in the air... it all applies wherever it is I'm playing.

If there's one key thing being in STK Academy has taught you, what would it be?

Make the most of what you’ve got, for sure. The resources that are around you, the opportunities that come up... we're very fortunate to have that and none of it is taken for granted.