Kade Kolodjashnij from the Gold Coast Suns is the Round 10 NAB AFL Rising Star nominee.
In the Suns’ 45-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, he gathered 21 possessions, four marks and two tackles.
The 18-year-old Tasmanian debuted in Round Two and has played seven AFL games. Tall and athletic, Kade has played across half-back and is averaging 20 possessions per match.
He is currently ranked first in kicks and disposals per game amongst the players eligible for this year’s NAB AFL Rising Star.
Kade Kolodjashnij is available for interview tomorrow:
Tuesday May 27 at 8.30am
Metricon Stadium meeting room
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said Kade has made an immediate impact at the club since his arrival during the pre-season.
“Kade just looks so comfortable with the pace of the game. We have blooded a number of debutants in our four years in the competition and Kade has found his feet and made an impact at senior level like few players before him,” he said.
“What stood out as soon as he arrived at the club was just how calm and composed Kade is. He has quietly gone about his business since then; over the pre-season he moved into the top six runners at the club without much fanfare, and in season, his use off half-back has been exceptional. We are looking forward to Kade finishing off the rest of 2014 the way he has started it.”
Kade was the Suns’ first selection (selection five overall) at the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. He was recruited from the Prospect Hawks Junior Football Club and played senior football in the Tasmanian State League with Launceston.
He represented Tasmania in both the Under-16 and Under-18 Championships. He captained the side to the Under-18 Division Two title in 2013. He was a joint-winner of the Harrison Medal and was named in the NAB AFL Under-18 All-Australian side. He is also a graduate of the AFL National Academies program.
Kade is the first Suns player to be nominated this season. Two Gold Coast players were nominated last year; Tom Nicholls and the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star Jaeger O’Meara.
Kade’s twin brother Jake was drafted by Geelong with selection 41.
Following each round of the home and away season, a panel of judges will select a NAB AFL Rising Star nominee. At the completion of the season, one of these nominees will be chosen as the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star.
The 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star winner will be awarded the Ron Evans Medal and a $20,000 personal investment folio and a dedicated personal banker, courtesy of NAB.
NAB continues to grow the game by recognising the junior clubs that helped foster the early careers of the nominated players. Each of the 23 clubs will receive a NAB Club Recognition Award valued at $2,500, comprising financial and practical resources. Since supporting the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, NAB has donated over $660,000 worth of resources to junior football clubs through this initiative.
The NAB AFL Rising Star is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
NAB has been Footifying Australia since 2002 through the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program which comprises the following elements:
- NAB AFL Rising Star
- NAB AFL Draft
- NAB AFL Draft Combine
- NAB AFL Under-18 Championships
- AFL National Academies
- NAB AFL Under-16 Championships
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