The talented half-back flanker, who was taken with the GC SUNS first selection, number five overall at the NAB AFL Draft on the Gold Coast in November, has kicked off his promising AFL career with a bang – impressing football staff with his supreme endurance and athletic skills.
Settling in alongside the club’s elite long-distance runners, Jeremy Taylor, Dion Prestia and Jaeger O’Meara, Kolodjashnij has well and truly held his own against experienced AFL players.
Adjusting to Queensland’s warm and testing conditions, the recently graduated Year 12 student hailing from the Apple Isle has stretched 2km time trial champion Jeremy Taylor on two separate occasions, providing a frightening insight into he might be capable of after completing further pre-seasons.
Fellow Tasmanian and good mate Jesse Lonergan has been an added bonus for Kolodjashnij, helping his former junior representative teammate transition into AFL life on the Gold Coast.
Given his flying start to the 2013 pre-season, the 18-year-old is well on track towards putting his hand up for senior selection next year, although Kolodjashnij is aware there is plenty of hard work and improvement ahead.
“Fortunately I have been able to run out sessions and really push myself,” he said.
“It’s an exciting time for me, I’m really looking forward to improving over the summer, but most of all I’m just loving being part of it all.”
The Christmas period will be a welcomed break for the 18-year-old defender, who will have the opportunity to freshen up after four weeks of high-intensity conditioning.
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