""I was an Essendon supporter and always wanted to play at the club. I am there now and hopefully things work out. Essendon has shown a lot of faith in me,"" Cole said from Queensland. ""I felt a move was the best thing for my career. I have nothing against Collingwood or my teammates - they are a very good club. I just wanted to make a move.""
Cole has already started working on his fitness for the season ahead. He has had discussions with Essendon fitness coach John Quinn in a bid to have himself in the best possible shape for the commencement of pre-season in November.
Cole, who played his junior football with the Pioneers and the Eastern Under 18s, was taken by Collingwood with selection number 11 at the 2001 National Draft. He made his debut for Collingwood a year later and in 2003 was a National Rising Star nominee. He played in the 2003 Grand Final against Brisbane and his best season came the following year when he played all 22 games and finished 6th in Collingwood’s best and fairest.
""We were very keen to get him at the draft in 2001 but things didn’t work out. We have gone the long way about it but we have got him here now and we are all really pleased about that,"" Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro said.
""I know he is very keen to repay the faith we have shown in him. He has played in an AFL Grand Final and has 56 senior games under his belt so the foundation is there. Our coaching panel and fitness staff are looking forward to working with him and I’m sure we can get the best out of him.
""He has played most of his football in defence but we think he also has the speed and skill to play a role for us in the midfield. I really do think he will blossom in this environment.""