Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade attributes Brandon Matera’s recent run of strong form to an improved work ethic in the second half of the season.

The talented small forward has been playing further up the ground in the last month, getting to more contests and collecting plenty of football.
 
Across the last four weeks, the West Australian has averaged 20.8 possessions, 3.8 inside 50s and 2.8 tackles per game, drawing praise from the veteran coach for his increased appetite for work and seeing reward for his effort.
 
“His work rate really probably improved for the last seven or eight weeks. But the last four he’s probably starting to turn into disposals and performances on the ground,” Eade told SUNS TV on Thursday afternoon.
 
“So I’ve been pleased for probably about eight weeks with him. Just his work rate – he’s working a lot harder, he’s getting to more contests, he’s providing an outlet for the defenders so its full credit to him.”
 
At a press conference earlier in the week, second-year rebounding defender, Kade Kolodjashnij, expressed his desire to expand his repertoire in the not too distant future by playing roles through the midfield and on the wing.
 
The 20-year-old has produced an ultra-consistent season to be one of Gold Coast’s best performers during a difficult year and is destined for a high finish in next month’s best and fairest count.
 
He started the year on a wing, in a role Eade thought would suit his skill set, but struggled to impact despite his exceptional endurance, ability to run and carry and polished left foot. Whilst his best football is currently served on a half back flank, Eade sees Kolodjashnij being able to play in the midfield down the track.
 
“He has had an outstanding year. Probably at the start of the year I thought he’d be an ideal winger, so we played him on the wing (early on the year),” Eade said.
 
“He seemed to struggle with that, having to read the game both ways. He seemed to like the game coming at him. But he’s gained in confidence and gained in maturity, his leadership’s been terrific.
 
“So you’d like to think that down the track he could be multi-positioned, he could play on the wing and play through the midfield and be great. But he’s certainly been in great form down back.”