An absolute stalwart and one of the most reliable operators at the Geelong Football Club, Jake Kolodjashnij has earned the respect of all his teammates and coaches over a fantastic career. 

Often given the tough tasks against the opposition's best forwards and required to play both tall and small, he has never failed to stand tall when the team has needed him since joining the club. 

This week will bring up a thoroughly deserved milestone, as Kolodjashnij prepares to play his 200th game on Friday night when the Cats take on the Western Bulldogs. 

Prior to his Friday night's blockbuster match, some of Kolodjashnij's teammates and fellow defenders sat down with Cats Media to provide insight into the milestone man. 

What does Jake Kolodjashnij mean to you and Geelong?

JACK HENRY
"'Kola' has got a few more years under his belt than I do, but he is the kind of guy that I felt like I went along the entire journey with in a sense.

I am a similar height to 'Kola,' he was the benchmark of how I want to be as a defender, how I want to show up every week. I mentioned the fact that you don't want to ride the highs too high or the lows too low, 'Kola' is just that guy.

He shows up every week and without fail, he will be very consistent and do what he needs to do. I found that an amazing part of what 'Kola' does, he is one of the great teammates.

He is no fuss at all, he just moves onto the next one and he is a great teammate and a great friend. I have been grateful to come through with someone like 'Kola.'"

ZACH GUTHRIE
"He is another one that I got to share that amazing day with in 2022, which was incredible.

He played a really important role in that defensive unit, not only that year but in all of his other years as well. He is someone that is given a role every week that is sometimes not easy to play, against some of the best forwards.

I think his level head so that when things go wrong on the field, when things might not go exactly to plan, but his demeanour that he brings means he is never too high or never too low.

That is something that is a really important part of playing professional sport, but in defence as well there is some moments where you come up against some talented players from the opposition.

Just that ability to stick to the task, to bring others along is something he does really well."

TOM STEWART
"Much in a similar vein to 'Blitz,' he is just no fuss and no nonsense but he is the sort of teammate that you are so buoyed, and so filled with confidence when he runs out alongside you.

Every game, apart from the disappointing year that he had last year through injury, I have played with 'Kola.' So I have played near on 170 games side by side with him.

He is just such a fierce competitor, without many accolades that means he does go so underrated throughout the competition. He saves my a*** on so many occasions with the players that he plays on, he allows me to play my game which I really value personally.

We have both become fathers since we have been teammates, to see that journey and share some moments with his young family is really special. He is just such a solid citizen, he is never up or never down, he just wants to get the job done and he just wants what is best for the team.

Like I said with 'Blitz,' he is just somebody that I really admire that he just wants what is best for everybody else. He puts his own ego aside to service that, he is extremely tough and extremely courageous. I think if you talk to anybody that has played against him one-on-one, he is near on impossible to beat in that scenario.

Just a ripping person and somebody that I am so thankful to have played with throughout my career."

Something we don't know about Jake Kolodjashnij?

JACK HENRY
"He does have a dry sense of humour, he is a funny guy.

He is just very happy go lucky, he doesn't try too hard to be anyone other than himself.

He is very fun to be around, he is always a very good presence socially.

In a similar sense to his football, he is just no fuss and gets on with life, gets on with his football."

ZACH GUTHRIE
"He is a really determined player, to be able to stop those forwards which is something I admire.

It is something I try to do whenever I match-up on some really good forwards, I try and take pride in not only helping the team, but just really trying to win those important one-on-ones. I think that is something he does really well, for someone who is pushing the 200cm mark in size he is really strong as well.

He is someone that when he is caught in those one-on-ones, he does a really good job which is something I have been able to learn. 

I think he is someone that probably isn't quite as forthcoming with his humour, but I think some of his one liners are really funny. The dry sense of humour is really good to be around."

TOM STEWART
"As I was saying before, he has got that amazing ability to just be so calm and so consistent, no matter the situation. He is almost unflappable in that respect.

I am sure that as we all do when he is behind closed doors with his family and his loved ones, that he is a bit different. But just amongst the group, you know you have got such great confidence because you know what you are going to get from him every single week.

His form never fluctuates, his attitude never fluctuates, he works tirelessly at his craft and he is always out doing extras. There is no mistake that he is a really great player for our club, and I think it should be acknowledged that he is that.

He actually has a really dry sense of humour as well, he is quite sharp with his humour. He doesn't get on the lip much but when he does, it is always nice to hear a bit of lip from 'Kola.' You generally know you are having a good day when 'Kola' is on the lip.

I have vivid memories, I think it was after 'DK' kicked his goal in the Grand Final, 'Kola' and I were trotting back to defence with Jack Henry. We just looked at each other thinking can you believe this is happening?

It was like something out of a dream. Having that moment with him and the things that you go through as teammates, you ride the highs and lows and having that moment with him and Jack, playing most of our career together we couldn't believe we had actually done it.

We were in such a great space, up by 10 or 12 goals and to share that moment was amazing."