Melbourne talent Koltyn Tholstrup will become the third Demon to make his AFL debut during the 2024 season against Brisbane at the MCG on Thursday night.
The midfielder/half-forward comes into the Melbourne team after the one-week suspension to livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett.
Tholstrup joins Blake Howes and Caleb Windsor as Demons to play their first AFL game this campaign, while Jack Billings has also made his debut for the club since crossing from St Kilda.
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Who is Koltyn Tholstrup?
Tholstrup (pronounced foal-strup) is an 18-year-old midfielder-forward selected by Melbourne at pick no.13 in the 2023 National Draft.
The West Australian, who hails from Esperance, is 186cm tall and his 86kg frame is ready for AFL football, having played senior football in the WAFL for Subiaco.
Melbourne's first round selection of Tholstrup came after an impressive National Carnival for WA, where he averaged 18 disposals, six marks, six inside 50's and two tackles a match.
Tholstrup's draft profile from AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan prior to being picked by Melbourne said:
"A talented player with an elite work rate who often plays as a high half forward and sometimes goes through the midfield.
"He is a fearless competitor with excellent game sense and a penetrating kick.
"He played the final three games for Western Australia at the National Championships after missing the first with injury but didn’t miss a beat to average 18.7 disposals.
"Has a sharp competitive edge which has seen him already play 10 senior matches for Subiaco in the WAFL.
"Tested impressively at the national Draft Combine to record the second quickest time on the agility test (8.19) and a top ten finish in the 2km time trial (6:17)."
How has Koltyn Tholstrup played in the VFL for Casey?
In both his VFL matches for Casey Demons, Tholstrup has picked up 21 disposals in each.
A feature of his game has been his contested work, having accumulated 13 tackles and eight clearances across his two matches.
Tholstrup has spent the majority of his VFL time through the midfield, but will likely play in the forward line for the senior team.
Where will Koltyn Tholstrup play for Melbourne?
It's unlikely that Tholstrup will spend a huge amount of time in the Melbourne engine room, especially against the seasoned midfield from last year's grand finalist Brisbane.
Coming into the team for Pickett will likely see Tholstrup adopt the role played by the exciting small forward he replaces.
Brisbane have struggled to lockdown on smaller forwards in the opening few games of the season with their tall defence.
Expect the Lions to line up Darcy Wilmot on Tholstrup and possibly try to take advantage of the debutant's inexperience by using their flanker to attack from the half-back line.
Who has made their debut for Melbourne in 2024?
Tholstrup will be the third player to play his first AFL game at Melbourne this season, alongside Howes and Windsor.
Windsor was also a first round selection for the Demons, and was taken higher than Tholstrup at pick six in last year's draft.
He made his debut in Opening Round and has played every match since, averaging 15 disposals and impressing with his poise.
Howes was pick 39 in the 2021 draft but only made his debut in Opening Round due to injury issues and his development.
The 191 cm defender looks assured in defence and appears to have made a spot in the back six his own.
Billings played 155 games for St Kilda before making his debut for Melbourne during Opening Round.
He has played every match since, averaging 13 disposals, having been used as the sub or being subbed out on a couple of occasions.
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