Steven May has praised the dependability of second-year rebounding defender Kade Kolodjashnij, describing the consistent Tasmanian as the ultimate team man.
Despite a difficult season for not only the SUNS, but also the back six, the fact May and Kolodjashnij finished on the podium in the best and fairest count is indicative of how well they performed in the face of adversity.
In only his second season, Kolodjashnij played every game to establish himself as a crucial cog in Gold Coast’s defensive setup. The 20-year-old polled in 16 of 22 games to stamp himself as a reliable performer and as the year wore on, Kolodjashnij became the SUNS most damaging ball user, setting up attack from defence.
May drew a comparison between his teammate and another Tasmanian in the form of Hawthorn triple-premiership defender Grant Birchall, prompting the Northern Territorian to applaud the way Kolodjashnij goes about his craft.
“He’s what you would call the coaches pet. Whatever you tell him to do, whatever you ask him to do, he’s going to do it, and do it in spades,” May told SUNS TV following the Club Champion on Friday night.
“He runs further than everyone, he gives the ball, he gets kicks, he’s a great mate to play alongside because you know what you’re going to get from him each week.
“I think he’s only going to get better – he’s only in his second-year and he’s come second in the best and fairest. The sky is the limit for him.
“It’s been a privilege to play alongside him and some weeks I watch him push forward and kick goals and I’m just like this kid can play.
“He reminds me a bit of Grant Birchall, that’s sort of running half back, left footer, he’s going to be a good player.”