His grandparents fled the Soviet controlled Ukraine after World War II and settled in Australia.

Kolodjashnij lived across the road from Prospect Park, a multi-use venue for both soccer and Australian football.

As part of the talented player pathway process, both the Kolodjashnij brothers were permitted to Tasmanian State League club, Launceston, for their under-16 year.

Kolodjashnij is a tall defender who has shown good athleticism and football smarts since taken with Geelong’s third selection in the 2013 NAB AFL Draft.

An effective rebounding player who is a strong overhead mark and possesses neat foot skills, he produced encouraging performances in 16 VFL games last year and finished fourth in the Cats’ Victorian Football League best and fairest.