Gold Coast SUNS List & Strategy Manager, Scott Clayton, welcomed Kade Koldjashnij’s re-signing with the club on Wednesday.

Kolodjashnij’s commitment comes a week after his manager, Anthony McConville, extended the contract of another one of his clients in SUNS forward Peter Wright.

Clayton was delighted to have secured the rebounding defender’s signature after an outstanding season in 2015 that saw Kolodjashnij finish runner-up in the club best and fairest.

“Kade has grown and grown since joining the club, he was one of our most exciting players in his first season with the club and we were so impressed with the way he continued to take his game to new levels in 2015,” Clayton said.

“We are rapt that he has re-committed to the club until the end of 2018.”

READ: Kolodjashnij commits until end of 2018

Clayton said a change in the player’s ownership was having a positive impact in the clubs pursuit of retaining players.

"We made some major changes at the club late in 2015, which included tough calls on the player list and in establishing a high performance unit under Justin Cordy that is getting the players fitter, stronger and confident in their own bodies and we have seen this make a difference when it comes to retaining players,” he said.

"But we have also seen a shift in the player’s ownership and this has been the single biggest difference, and this has been led by the leadership group.


"The growth has been evident. Our leaders are united in accepting the responsibility to build a really healthy culture that not only delivers success on and off the field but also ensures all young players who come to the Gold Coast become better people.

“The players are holding each other to account on and off the field and you can not only see the difference but you can feel it.

“Players want to be a part of something really exciting here."