‘KOLO’ FLIES ON THE WING

Jake now key link forward and back

THE tap on the shoulder came from Geelong assistant coach Matthew Scarlett.

Rising defender Jake Kolodjashnij, pictured, is rarely caught off guard. But what Scarlett was about to say certainly did.

“He just said match committee was considering me on the wing,” Kolodjashnij said. “It was a bit of a shock, but I have embraced the challenge and enjoyed my time there so far.

“I’d played there a bit in under-13s with my brother (Gold Coast’s Kade), but that was just fun. This is obviously a lot more serious.”

That chat happened in the lead up to the Round 19 win over Carlton and he has not looked back.

And the move has not just been as a bit of relief for Geelong’s midfield, Kolodjashnij has spent 90 per cent of his playing time in the Cats’ engine room.

Between rounds eight and 18, Kolodjashnij had spent 99 per cent of his playing time in defence.

It is a quantum shift by anyone’s standards.

His numbers have improved, too, averaging an extra two disposals a game, while he is averaging 232m gained per match, 50m up on his output from defence.

“I really feel comfortable there now,” Kolodjashnij said.

“Just in training and out on the track I spend a bit more time with the midfield division (and work on) the specifics and what they want on game day.

“With that is (reviewing) the vision as well.

“The coaches drill the game plan into us from when we first get into the club, so we do have a good understanding about the roles around the ground.

“So in that regard there wasn’t too much of a change. It’s just getting a feel for it after the first few games and learning something for each game I play.”

Probably the most defining moment of Kolodjashnij’s switch happened in Geelong’s big win over Sydney last week.

Full stretch, the young Cat stuck his hands out and took a strong mark on the lead in front of Gary Rohan.

There is no doubt a size that would be the envy of most onballers in the competition.

At 193cm and 94kg, he boasts the strength needed to have a significant influence in the contest. But he also has the pace and stamina to cover the ground.

Against the Swans he covered 14.1km. Only Jarrard McVeigh and Zach Tuohy (14.3km each) ran more.

Of those 14.1km, 6.7km was done when his team had the ball, proof he is happy to join in the attacking play.

And Kolodjashnij was second only to Steven Motlop with his high speed running, covering 2.4km at a speed of 18km/h or faster.

“They do like my running capabilities. That sort of bigbodied winger (is my role),” he said.

“I do tend to get some mismatches in that position. When it comes to contested footy they really back me in on the wing.

“And with my transition running, they like me setting up the ground in attack and defence. I think that’s what I can add on the wing.

“I’ve definitely worked heaps on my tank from when I first got here. I am feeling really good backing up games now and I guess that’s showing with my GPS numbers.

“It’s a bonus to play multiple positions and if I do have to have my stint down back I am good to go.”

But the decision to move him further up the ground has its disadvantages.

Kolodjashnij is one of the competition’s rising defenders and his ability to play tall and small is crucial.

After suffering injury setbacks in summer, he returned to the senior fold for Geelong’s loss to Essendon in Round 8.

By early July he was the fourth best one-on-one defender in the competition, losing 11 per cent of his duels.

“I’ve been told by Matthew Knights to keep my mind open as to where I play. I’m happy to play any role given to me,” he said.

“At the moment it is the wing, next year it could be down back.”

Kolodjashnij will suit up for Geelong in its preliminary final blockbuster against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

There is still a sense of unfinished business for the 22year-old, who played in last year’s losing preliminary final to Sydney.

Kolodjashnij admits that loss still burns.

The Cats have a chance to rectify that tonight.

“(Adelaide has) got some damaging half-backs. They like to play nice and quick and their forwards do like to get up the ground and try and beat you out the back,” he said.

“Our defensive set up is going to be crucial.

“Hopefully we can get that part of the game right and that will go a long way to helping us get the win.”