The Launceston-born defender, 21, has played in the Cats’ past six fixtures after overcoming glandular fever and a groin injury that interrupted his pre-season.

As a result, Kolodajshnij spent many hours on the track building his body back to full fitness all on his lonesome.

“It has been a very frustrating time having rocked up to day one of pre-season [before Christmas] with a bit of tonsillitis, which turned out to be glandular fever and set me back about six weeks,” he said.

“I just wanted to be able to train with all the boys and improve my fitness and my game, so watching from the sideline and being bedridden wasn’t ideal.

“Because I didn’t do anything for so long I did have some groin complaints and it did take a while to get into full training.

“It does get a bit lonely at times in rehab… it was a bit of a learning process and I got a lot out of it mentally and understanding my body better.”

Kolodajshnij worked hard for weeks throughout March before making his way into the Cats’ VFL team and eventually into the AFL for the club’s round 8 loss to Essendon at the MCG.

He has played in four wins and two losses since, including Geelong’s two-point victory over Fremantle on Sunday where he was involved in a number of key contests late in the match.

“You do get a bit nervous at times in those situations. With 10 minutes to go the runner came out and we just had to be desperate,” Kolodajshnij said.

“When our turn came we just had to stand up individually and I’m just glad we got over the line.”

The 2011 Launceston State League premiership player’s role has changed from last season, he is now manning the opposition’s third tall.

“I spent a lot of last year [20 matches] on small forwards and I will do that a few times this year,” he said.

“I’m developing and learning every game I play and there are definitely areas I can improve on. I’ll just keep chipping away and play the best footy I can.”

The 193-centimetre, 94-kilogram unit has played 35 matches in the blue and white hoops since being drafted in 2013 with twin Kade (Gold Coast) at picks 41 and five, respectively.

Kolodjashnij is honing his craft by working closely with assistant coach and triple-premiership full-back Matthew Scarlett, while absorbing priceless advice from Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan and the like.

“I do a lot of stuff with Matty. I watch a lot of vision, stuff after training and he is always trying to help me,” the former Tassie Mariner said.

“I’m trying to work a lot on my intercept marking, reading the play and backing myself in the air.

“The game is definitely another level of intensity (AFL compared to Tasmanian State League) and depending on the scenario it can be hard at times, but if we have a lot of pressure around the footy and force our opponents to bomb long to our defenders it does help.

“When Matty talks, you listen. You couldn’t learn off anyone better really.”

Kolodjashnij said he has also learnt a lot from playing on many high-profile opponents such as mercurial Adelaide forward Eddie Betts.

“Coming into my third year of AFL footy you are always learning from their tricks and forward crafts,” he said.

“I’ve played on many good players like Eddie, who is probably the best small forward in the game, and blokes like Jack Gunston and Jack Riewoldt.

“You are always on your toes and if you’re a little bit off you can get found out.”

At 9-4, Kolodjashnij said the Cats are well placed heading into the season’s second half despite the team not playing its best at times and that he is happy in Geelong.

He has just bought his first house, which he will move into in a couple of weeks, and shrugged off speculation that he could potentially join his brother at the Gold Coast in a trade that would see Gary Ablett return to the Cattery for 2018.

“It is tough to get back to Tassie during the season but during the bye round I did go up and see Kade on the Gold Coast and saw my sister, which is nice,” Kolodjashnij said.

“My management is in contract talks with Geelong at the moment and hopefully they can can get something done soon, I don’t pay too much attention to speculation at all. My contract ends at the end of this year.”