TAGGING. It’s a well-known role among football clubs, taking on the competition’s best players each week and trying to restrict their impact on the game.

It’s a position that comes with a lot of responsibility, but in Koltyn Tholstrup’s case, you can see the role in two ways: daunting or exciting.

“You can think ‘it’s going to be a hard day’ or ‘it’s going to be tough’,” Tholstrup said.

But then there’s also the other side in that I get to play on one of the best players in the competition.

“I think ‘this is sick’, they’re great players, they’re smart players, so I see it as an opportunity to better learn my craft.”

Tholstrup is embracing his new role as a tagging Demon having been given the position switch during pre-season.

Formally a half-forward/mid, the 20-year-old has now spent most of his time in defence or with a specific role on an opposition player.

Tholstrup has felt invigorated by the change and credited senior coach Steven King’s attitude to positions.  

“Kingy’s approach is that everyone should be able to learn every position on the ground,” Tholstrup said.

“So, I got pushed around a fair bit during pre-season, I really got thrown around during the practice games, I think the Richmond match I played almost every position.

For me, I thought that was bloody awesome, because I got to play something other than half forward and now I feel like I’ve kind of found myself down back.”

While we’re only six games into the 2026 season, Tholstrup has already matched up against the likes of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Caleb Serong.

“I did have a little bit of experience with that type of role during my time in the WAFL, but the players are obviously a lot better so it’s a bit different,” Tholstrup said.

“I love tagging and I just love doing stuff for the team, my game doesn’t really matter too much as long as I do my job.

"It’s good that the coaches put that trust in me.”

It feels like a fresh start in the football world for Tholstrup, whose 2025 was an “up and down” year according to the 20-year-old.

 

He managed just nine senior games (four subbed on or off), working through both injury and form setbacks.

“One thing that has benefited me so much has been being able to have a full pre-season and get my fitness back,” Tholstrup said.

“I feel like I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, which helps in game with decision-making, it’s helped my disposals, which I think have been more effective.

[Jack Viney] has also been huge, he’s been the biggest mentor for me.

“Vines has played on a lot of these players before so it’s been handy having him there.”

The Demons are sitting at four wins and two losses for the year, dubbed ‘the fun team’ to watch this season.  

As someone who was already known for his loveable larrikin energy prior to 2026, Tholstrup is relishing the team’s fresh vibe.

“This year has definitely been my favourite so far,” Tholstrup said.

“We’ll have more catchups off the field now as a team, everyone has become closer.

“It’s always been there, but now that our connection off field is stronger, it’s translating more on field.

“With the way we’re playing now, it’s fun and exciting, and we feel we are that as players, and it’s nice that it’s starting to show on field.”