SUN TELLS OF SHOCK
KOLODJASHNIJ HAD TO CONFRONT FACT HIS CAREER COULD BE OVER
IN the office of his specialist’s Melbourne practice, Suns defender Kade Kolodjashnij nervously waited for what he thought could be the moment his football career ended.
Kolodjashnij had been in the same spot at the end of last year when he was asked if he had ever thought about retiring.
The 22-year-old was shocked and brushed off the query.
But after continued problems with headaches and blurred vision this year Kolodjashnij, who has battled the affects of multiple concussions over the past two seasons, was ready for the question and he was unsure what his answer would be when he returned last month.
“It was quite up in the air four weeks ago when I went down to Melbourne and seek the specialist’s advice,” Kolodjashnij said.
“It was a pretty nervous time for me not knowing what was going to happen after that meeting.
“I spoke to him last year when I went down there after I had the issues.
“He asked the question, ‘have you ever thought about finishing up?’
“I wasn’t expecting to be asked that question but this time around I had a few issues again this year and it was a bit up in the air. I was quite unsure what was going on.
“You prepare for the worst in those situations and it hit home a bit.”
The concussions had put the brakes on what had been an impressive start to his AFL career.
The Tasmanian had played 59 games in his first three seasons and had been one of Gold Coast’s most reliable kicks but his confidence and form suffered after his head knocks.
Kolodjashnij wouldn’t have been the first to have his career ended by concussion.
Former Brisbane defender Justin Clarke was forced to retire at the age of 22 in 2016 after an incident at training left him seriously concussed and affected his memory and mobility.
“You don’t prepare for it when you come into an AFL system,” Kolodjashnij said of an issue that has been a major talking point in the code.
“It puts footy into perspective and it takes its toll mentally. You have a few doubts creep in. There were some dark days coming in but the club has been really good.
“Once you are around the group and boys it lifts your spirits a bit and you get on with your job.
“At the end of the day it will make me a stronger person and build that resilience.”
The sliding doors moment ended with Kolodjashnij discovering the source of his most recent problems stemmed from neck issues and the rollercoaster ride of emotions has since taken him to his highest point in recent years.
“My neck just wasn’t functioning properly,” Kolodjashnij said.
“I’ve had a few whiplashes this year when I was playing and it wasn’t functioning properly.
“It was being overloaded a bit as I was exercising and causing tension in my head and it was causing some headaches. I have got on top of that now.
“I definitely won’t be taking training and playing for granted now and I’m looking forward to putting my hand up for selection for the AFL side.
“The dark times have hopefully passed now and I can focus on getting back to playing consistent footy.”
Gold Coast’s NEAFL win over Redland on Saturday was Kolodjashnij’s second since getting the all-clear and Suns reserves coach Nick Malceski said he was already showing signs of returning to his best.
“The thing that was really impressive was the stuff that has been missing with his concussion,” Malceski said.
“He goes back with the flight (of the ball) with no dramas and doesn’t hesitate. He even put himself in the midfield to get a bit more run.
“He said he had more in the tank in the last quarter, broke lines a bit and was a general down back.”
Kolodjashnij is off contract at the end of this season and while he said he was eager to remain at the Suns, he was happy to hold off talks.
“We decided to hold off until maybe the end of the year,” Kolodjashnij said.
“I’ll put (contract talks) to the side for a minute and just focus on getting back into the senior side.
“I’m pretty keen to stay at the Suns at this point in time but that will take care of itself.”
YOU PREPARE FOR THE WORST IN THOSE SITUATIONS AND IT HIT HOME A BIT. KADE KOLODJASHNIJ