Kade Kolodjashnij has been a picture of consistency this season, building on his impressive maiden season in 2014 to emerge as one of the best young rebounding defenders in the game. But despite looking at home across half back, the Tasmanian has his eyes set on becoming more versatile in years to come.
 
During a difficult season at Metricon Stadium, the 20-year-old has been one of Rodney Eade’s best players and is set for a high finish in next month’s best and fairest.
 
Ambitious and professional, Kolodjashnij is a model top-five draftee. And he has his eyes set on emulating another high draft pick in the future in the form of Hawthorn triple premiership champion Luke Hodge.
 
Right now, he is comfortable on a half back flank. He is confident in his role and has been exceptional to date. But in the not too distant future, Kolodjashnij wants to add more strings to his bow, with versatility at the top of his priority list.
 
“Obviously I’m playing half back at the moment and I’m really enjoying it. But in the next couple of years, I look up to Luke Hodge and want to be a player like him that can play half back, go in the middle, go on the wing,” Kolodjashnij told the media on Tuesday.
 
“I want to be definitely more versatile in the years to come and improve my overall game. I’m really looking to do that in the next few years.”
 
After beginning the year on the wing, the experiment was short lived as the injury toll began to mount and mount rapidly, forcing Kolodjashnij back behind the ball in a role that suits his current skill set best.
 
Despite struggling to come to grips with the role early, Kolodjashnij hasn’t turned his back on learning the art of the wing. He has an enormous engine and potent left foot – two fundamental skills required in that position – and is determined to learn what is required in the role over the upcoming summer.
 
“I played wing pre-season and the first couple of games and probably struggled a little bit there,” Kolodjashnij said.
 
“I probably wasn’t used to the position and I like reading the ball from behind and sort of got caught in between playing on the wing.
 
“I’ll be looking to improve on the wing in the pre-season. Hopefully I can play some consistent footy there next season.”