Kade Kolodjashnij is only halfway through his second pre-season at the Gold Coast SUNS but has emerged as one of the club’s strongest performers on the track this summer.



The 19-year-old produced a stellar debut season in 2014, averaging 17 possessions in his 18 appearances to finish 5th in the NAB Rising Star award. His poise and ability to pick out the best option with his classy left foot ensured that he became a regular contributor across half back last season.



Like all draftees, pre-season number one was restricted for Kolodjashnij with strength and conditioning staff closing monitoring his training loads.



Kolodjashnij has relished the increased workload he has received this pre-season and his second placing in last week’s 2km time trial highlights his ability to cope with the increase in training levels.



“To get that first year out of the way its really helped me develop as a player and person so its been really good getting into my second pre-season,” Kolodjashnij told SUNS TV.



“I was sort of held back a bit in my first year, they were sort of managing our bodies a bit more. But I’m starting to do most of the work now with all the other boys.”



Trade period acquisition Nick Malceski has already left his mark on the Tasmanian with Kolodjashnij admitting his desire to soak up as much knowledge as possible from the All-Australian half back.



The pair share a handful of similarities on field, and Gold Coast coaching staff will be hoping that Kolodjashnij can continue to flourish under the tutelage of Malceski down back.



“Nick Malceski’s been great for us boys. He’s got a lot of knowledge for the game and he’s been around for awhile now,” Kolodjashnij said.



“He’s done it all, premiership player, All-Australian, so (I’m) really looking to learn off him in the years to come and he’s going to be great for us this year.”



