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KOLO-SIGN-ME! Deal talks set to heat up

OUT- OF- CONTRACT defender Jake Kolodjashnij has declared he wants to remain at Geelong, despite talks surrounding a new deal still in their infancy.

The 21-year-old is one of a number of key Cats, including Daniel Menzel, Steve Motlop and Andrew Mackie, out of contract at the end of the season.

Talks between players and the clubs across the league had stagnated due to the drawnout CBA negotiations between the AFL and the AFLPA.

However with that deal now locked away — and the players given a handsome pay rise — it is expected contract talks will ramp up in the coming weeks.

Kolodjashnij told the Geelong Advertiser yesterday he wanted to extend his stay at Kardinia Park.

“There’s just been early talks at the moment, so hopefully they (the club and my manager) can sort something out in the coming weeks. We will see what happens with that,” Kolodjashnij said.

“Definitely (I want to stay). I have loved my time at the Cats and to get something done sooner rather than later would be great.”

That news would come as a significant relief for Geelong fans, who are preparing to cope with life without star veteran defenders Mackie and Tom Lonergan in the near future.

Geelong’s coaching staff, especially legendary defender Matthew Scarlett, regard Kolodjashnij very highly and the club has invested significantly in his development.

Kolodjashnij is likely to play a key part in Geelong’s defence in the future, alongside the likes of Tom Stewart, Jed Bews, Jackson Thurlow and rising key position player Ryan Gardner. Kolodjashnij suffered a number of setbacks through pre-season but has seamlessly slipped back into the team since returning against Essendon in Round 8.

With six games now under his belt in 2017, Kolodjashnij said he was feeling like his best football was just around the corner.

“I’ve played six games in a row in the AFL system now so I am starting to get my match fitness back,” he said.

“It took me three weeks. It was a bit tough at the start just getting the lungs going and the fitness.”