Round 17 – Richard Cole:
After managing nine games in his debut season last year, Richard Cole took another step up in 2003 to secure a role in the Magpies defence. A classic ‘Collingwood six-footer’ who always seems to have plenty of time and who’s hard at the ball, Cole caught the eye of the Rising Star judges with his effort in round 17 against Carlton when he collected 10 kicks and seven handpasses, took eight marks, laid three tackles and kicked one goal. Originally from Alice Springs, Cole relocated to Melbourne in his mid-teens, joining the Eastern Ranges in the TAC competition so as to put himself right under the noses of AFL club recruiters.