Kolodjashnij on whether there was a time he thought 200 games might not happen

If I am being brutally honest, yeah there actually probably was.

It was a rough trot the last 12 months, obviously with the groin and hips, a little bit of back stuff.

But I managed to work my way through it eventually, but I would be lying if I said there wasn't a time where I thought I might be a bit cooked. 

Kolodjashnij on the excitement around his return

I was saying to a few of the boys, I was sort of expecting it maybe a week or two ago.

It felt like a debut again, I am full of energy.

I actually haven't played with a lot of the guys, I hadn't played with 'Baz,' 'Sully,' a few of the younger guys who are playing really good footy.

That was exciting, but hopefully I can play a key part going forward. 

Kolodjashnij on his draft night experience

I got the call from 'Shifter' Sheehan. He said just sit tight mate, it might be second or third round.

The picks were ticking over, obviously Kade was touted to go pretty high which he did in the end.

I was sort of just sitting there nervously and awkwardly in my seat.

I just remember seeing my picture on the big screen, up on the Gold Coast in the convention centre there.

I was just over the moon, then got to meet everyone there on draft night and it was a special memory. 

Kolodjashnij on the injury frustration

My rehab was not linear at all.

I probably had four or five returns at trying to get back on the park, I would get back for two or three weeks and then have another setback. I would get really sore and then it would be back to square one.

Like I said, there was definitely a bit of doubt throughout that period but credit to the medical team, my teammates, my partner and all my support network, they stuck behind me throughout the whole process.

They were massive reasons to get back to where I am today, then to play 200 games now. 

Kolodjashnij on his first game back

It was unique with the wind and the small ground, and probably the new rule changes as well.

I got caught out a couple of times, so sorry 'Scotty.' It was good to be back, there was probably just a few little things like getting done on hit-ups early days.

I probably got away with it in the VFL, but the standard of the AFL is definitely a step up. It has been quite a while, so it just took a little bit to find my rhythm.

I think the second half I kicked into gear a little bit more, definitely thought I had a better half.