Jake’s not looking back
From third tall to lead defender in less than 50 games
IT was never meant to be like this for Jake Kolodjashnij.
Playing on the monster forwards of the competition had not been part of his or the Geelong Football Club’s thinking.
He had been earmarked for a defensive gig a while back, but at 193cm he was supposed to be the Cats’ third tall, slotting into a support role behind players like Tom Lonergan, Harry Taylor and Lachie Henderson.
The former has since retired and the latter pair is now out indefinitely with injury, leaving Kolodjashnij as the main man down back.
But the 22-year-old has taken the change in his stride.
He is seeing the benefits of a long summer in the gym, adding bulk to his already sizeable frame, as well as from working with Geelong champion Matthew Scarlett, and tomorrow will run out for game number 50.
Kolodjashnij concedes the milestone has crept up on him, but says he is happy to be leading Geelong’s defensive unit.
“I did spend my time early on here in the VFL and since I’ve been in the AFL system the games have just crept up on me,” he said.
“But I definitely feel comfortable on the big fellas, I’m not out of my depth I don’t think.
“I definitely wanted to keep working on my strength (during pre-season) in the gym and Scarlo really wants me to be strong so I can be good in the contest and help my teammates out as well, so it was a bit of a focus.
“Speaking to Scarlo early in the pre-season I was expected to play the third tall role until obviously Harry and Hendo got their injuries.
“But I feel like I’m strong enough and can compete with those guys with my one-onones.”
Kolodjashnij signed a twoyear contract extension late in 2017, putting a halt to talk he might have been part of a trade with Gary Ablett that would have allowed him to move to the Gold Coast with his twin brother, Kade.
The Tasmanian says he never entertained the idea of leaving and added he felt he owed the Cats for all the work they did in helping him settle after he was drafted.
Last year he bought his first property in Belmont, which saw him move out of the rental home he had shared with Nakia Cockatoo and Jordan Cunico.
While he loved his time with that pair, he admits he has enjoyed the change.
He has taken up surfing and gets out in the water at Torquay or Jan Juc whenever he can — something that has helped him switch off from footy as well as with his recovery — and has become a stronger voice on the track and on game days.
Kolodjashnij says the extra work he is required to do in the absence of veterans like Taylor and Henderson has fast-tracked his leadership, which has shone through in the opening two games of the season.
“It’s been really good,” he said.
“We’ve got a young group back there and we’re all striving to be good players and come up together.
“All the boys have been trying to step up in that area of leadership, especially with Mack and Doms leaving (as well). It’s something we’ve got to improve on but overall I think we’re getting there.”
Kolodjashnij has formed a close bond with his fellow backmen during his four-anda-half years at Geelong, including youngsters such as Zach Guthrie and Jed Bews.
But while the Cats are awaiting the return of Taylor and Henderson, he says it is that sense of unity that holds them in good stead in clutch moments.
“We all get along really well back there, we’re a tight-knit group and we’ve just got to work on a few minor things,” he said.
“But we’re really united back there and we love playing with each other.”