Stranded on 198 matches for more than 18 months, Jake Kolodjashnij admits he doubted whether he would get to the 200-game milestone.
A groin issue he carried through the 2024 finals carried over into last year, with associated hip and back problems limiting the Geelong defender to three VFL appearances.
“It was a rough trot the last 12 months, with the groins, hips, a little bit of back stuff,” Kolodjashnij said.
But, (I) managed to work my way through it eventually.
But, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a time where I thought I might be a bit cooked here.”
Of Kolodjashnij’s three VFL outings in 2025, one came in April and two in August, as the 30-year-old suffered frustrating setback after setback.
“My rehab was not linear at all,” he said.
“I probably had four or five returns in trying to get back on the park.
“I’d probably get back for two, three weeks, and then I’d have another setback and get really sore, and then we’re sort of back to square one.
“There was definitely a bit of doubt throughout that period, but credit to the medical team, my teammates, my partner, all my support networks.
“They stuck behind me throughout the whole process. They were a massive reason to get me back to where I am today, and playing 200 games now.”
After off-season groin surgery, Kolodjashnij played in the opening two rounds of the VFL season before being a carry-over emergency for Easter Monday.
His recall to the AFL team came ahead of the Gather Round win over West Coast, with fellow defender Jack Henry managed.
“It sort of felt like a debut again… full of energy,” Kolodjashnij said.
“I haven’t played with a lot of guys. I didn’t play with ‘Baz’ (Bailey Smith), ‘Sully’ (Connor O’Sullivan), (and) a few of the younger guys that are playing really good footy. So that was exciting.
“Hopefully, I can play a key part going forward.”
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