Cohen Paul signs VFL contract with Carlton after 12-month train-on persistence

However, it wasn’t meant to be, but that didn’t give Paul any reason to give up.

It wasn’t rejection, it was redirection.

Paul “stuck fat” and trained through all of 2025 with Carlton despite not being on the list and knowing his efforts on the track would not result in a VFL game that season.

But for a developing key positional talent like Paul, the experience of being surrounded by professional and semi-professional athletes was invaluable for his learning - so he continued showing up.

“I just stuck fat and trained on all year essentially like another player,” Paul said.

“I wasn’t on the list but I went and watched games.

“Just being in the facilities, in the four walls of a club like that, it’s massive for my game being around elite players and picking up habits and intricacies of what it takes to get there.”

Paul’s contract offer came for 2026 in his exit interview with outgoing coach Luke Powers, who had grown impressed with Paul’s development at Goulburn Valley League level and through his output at IKON Park on weeknights.

“It (the contract) was something that naturally progressed,” Paul said.

“I’d made a good connection with Luke Power, he won’t be coach next year but he said ‘we’ve been rapt with the way you’ve gone about your game and development and I’ll be passing on everything about you to the next coach’.

“He gave me a list spot straight out the gate for next season.”

Paul, who is managing a back issue over the Christmas break, is hoping that an opportunity to train with Carlton’s AFL team is on the horizon too, health abiding.

It’s a perk AFL-aligned VFL clubs have that Paul said is incredible in helping push towards his dream.

“There’s a separate kind of sub-list at the club, the development list,” Paul said.

“The development list get opportunities with the AFL group, and I’m fortunate enough to be a part of that, so if my back’s feeling good I might get to train with them when we’re back from Christmas.”

The 19-year-old was on the long list of prospects that nominated for the 2025 AFL National Draft, but Paul knew he wasn’t getting picked up in November - however, the nomination could be crucial come late-May next year.

“I wasn’t going to nominate for the draft originally because I hadn’t had any interest from clubs,” Paul said.

“But my manager Brett Deledio made sure I did, because if you don’t nominate for the November draft, you can’t also be eligible for the mid-season draft.

“If I have a really strong first six to eight games next year, you don’t want to miss out if an opportunity comes... AFL’s 100 per cent the goal, always has been.”

With aspirations sky-high, Paul still is well-connected to his community club for 2026, re-signing with Euroa.

The key defender starred in a five-win campaign for the Magpies, and from his attendance of two pre-season sessions so far this summer, his local club’s aspirations remain high also.

“It’s definitely good to be back in black and white still,” Paul said.

“Everyone looks fit and we’ve picked up two ruck’s, which is what we needed.

“We’ve kept what seems like everyone as well, so we’re looking good I reckon.”

It looks like the best may still be yet to come, for those patient like Cohen Paul.