Kade Kolodjashnij says the concussion that ruined his 2017 was "scary", but the Gold Coast defender believes he can quickly return to his best form.

Kolodjashnij missed the final 10 rounds of last season after copping a head knock at a training session in mid-June. He has been forced to don a protective helmet as a result.

The 22-year-old said the SUNS had been supportive through the process and he now wanted to repay them on the field.

"It was pretty scary at the time," Kolodjashnij said.

"It's pretty unfamiliar territory, concussion, at the moment.

"I wasn't sure what the go was. I had a few symptoms with headaches post-concussion.

"It was going on for a few weeks, so I went down to Melbourne and saw a specialist down there and he gave me the advice to sit out the rest of the season."

The quietly-spoken Tasmanian did just that, watching his teammates from the grandstand.

However, come day one of pre-season, he was training hard and wearing a new addition to his playing kit.

"The advice from the doctors and staff around the club was to go down the path of wearing headgear," he said.

"To start off it was a bit of a hassle being up in the heat with the black helmet, I had a few tough days in the pre-season, but I've adjusted to that now and it's second nature to put the helmet on and go out and play.

"I just want to focus on what I can control and that's getting back and building my form.

"I definitely know what I'm capable of. I'm just looking to get back to my best form."

Kolodjashnij has played 70 games in his four seasons and, after the odd flirtation with playing on the wing, will revert to the half-backline this season.