Gold Coast prized backman 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.”
 
Another dashing defender May worked closely alongside this season was mature-aged rookie revelation, Adam Saad. With dare and audacity, Saad burst on to the scene and established himself as a weapon from his first game at the elite level.
 
Unfortunately for Saad, his body caught up with him in the second half of the season, impacting his output and ultimately drawing his season to a premature close. But, May witnessed more than enough first hand to suggest Saad could have challenged for the Club Champion in his first season if he had of remained on the park.
 
“His groins really started hurting him. I was playing games with him when he was really struggling and he would tell the physios, the coaches that he was fine to go but I could tell that he was struggling,” May said.
 
“We made jokes in the backline, when we were under pressure, just give it to Saady, because he just runs out of the backline and makes it so much easier.
 
“Again, add him into the mix next year, we are going to have a lot of exciting players down the in the backline, midfield and forward.
 
“If Saady had of continued his year, he would have pushed for the Club Champion, I have no doubt about that. Once he gets his body right, has a good break – it’s only his first year – he’s going to be back better than ever, I’m sure.”