Most first-year players are feeling the pinch at the back end of their rookie AFL season, and Kade Kolodjashnij is no different, but the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft is determined to finish his debut year full of running.

The Tasmanian – who celebrated his 19th birthday earlier this month – has shown consistency and poise across half-back this season for the SUNS.

Even when he was quiet by his usual standards against Port Adelaide in the slosh last Saturday, he still produced one of the best goals of the day with a booming kick from outside 50 as the rain poured down.

He currently leads all players eligible to win the NAB AFL Rising Star in kicks and effective disposals per game, as well as total rebound 50s, one-percenters and uncontested possessions.

With two games remaining in the home and away season, Kolodjashnij told goldcoastfc.com.au in this week’s 2XU Recovery video segment he wants to complete his first year in the competition in style.

“At the start of the year I was feeling pretty fresh but now it’s all starting to catch up to me,” Kolodjashnij said.

“A couple of games left, and I’m looking forward to put my best foot forward and hopefully the boys can have a couple of good last couple of games.”

He suffered a hamstring injury in the third quarter of the round 17 loss to the Western Bulldogs on a day when he was arguably his team’s best, prior to his setback.

It was the first major soft tissue problem of his career, and the Launceston native said it was a good learning curve having to deal with rehabilitation at an AFL level.

“It’s been a huge year. Recovery is very important to get yourself up every week in the AFL system.

“Last year I was probably a bit slack on the recovery side of things, but this year I’ve learnt a lot. Lot more ice baths and going to the beach and all that sort of stuff.”