He doesn’t have a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, yet, but Gold Coast SUNS defender Kade Kolodjashnij has already shown he is amongst the cream of the crop of young players in the AFL with another polished performance in Sunday’s win over Melbourne.

While players from both sides butchered possession and wasted opportunities in front of goal all afternoon, Kolodjashnij was smooth as silk whenever the Sherrin was in his hands.  He ran at 89.5 per cent disposal efficiency and he was one of only four GC SUNS who didn’t register a clanger throughout the match.

What made the 18-year-old’s performance all the more meritorious was the fact it was his first game at the home of football, and just his fourth at senior level.

“Unbelievable feeling, running out on the MCG for the first time with the boys,” Kolodjashnij told SUNS TV.

“Pretty much the whole family is over here watching me today.  It’s a really special moment and something I’ll always remember.”

Kolodjashnij sits third amongst players eligible for the Rising Star award, in terms of possessions per game behind Adelaide’s Matt Crouch and St Kilda’s Luke Dunstan, but what sets the Tasmanian apart is his ability to use the football and how calm he stays under pressure.  

Only Crouch sits above him for average effective disposals per game, and the left-footer has shown why he was rated so highly as an attacking defender prior to the 2013 AFL draft, given he is equal second for inside 50s in the above-mentioned group.

GWS midfielder Josh Kelly - who went three places higher than Kolodjashnij in last season’s draft - has already secured a Rising Star nomination and is one of the SUNS backman’s main rivals for the award.  Gold Coast takes on Kelly’s Giants next Saturday on a six-day break at Metricon Stadium, and the home side has no intention of letting its fellow expansion club record a maiden win on the Glitter Strip.

“At times it could have been better (the win over Melbourne),” Kolodjashnij said.

“(The Giants) are going really well at the moment.

“We’ll need to be at the top of our game to beat them next week.”