Cole was a half-back flanker and was drafted by Collingwood at pick 11 of the 2001 national draft. 2004 was the best season in his AFL career, in which he played every game and finished sixth in Collingwood's best and fairest. He played a total of 56 games for the Magpies.
Essendon acquired Cole via trade at the end of the 2005 season. He made a total of 7 AFL appearances for the Bombers and was delisted at the end of the 2007 season. He is now a part of the Buffaloes football club (NT)