Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij on contract talks and challenging match-up against Charlie Curnow

Jake Kolodjashnij looms as another important signature for the Cats. The underrated sheds light on where things sit and reflects on his challenging duel with Charlie Curnow.

Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij said his management met with the Cats last week as the eligible free agent remains out of contract.

Kolodjashnij, who turns 29 in August, has remained focused on his on-field form and has left the contract discussions to his manager Marty Pask of Kapital Sports Group.

The versatile and reliable backman is one of several free agents from the Cats yet to be signed, including fellow defender Jack Henry, goalsneak Tyson Stengle and captain Patrick Dangerfield.

Tall defenders were in demand in last year’s trade and free agency period and Kolodjashnij is playing some of his best footy in a contract year, averaging career highs for disposals, intercepts and intercept marks in 2024.

He has also been tasked with some big jobs on a range of opponents from Brisbane speedster Charlie Cameron to dual Coleman medallist Charlie Curnow, who he conceded got the better of him on Friday night.

The Tasmanian declared in May that he is “Geelong through and through” and that it would be difficult to see himself moving back to the Apple Isle when Tasmania Devils enter the AFL competition in 2028.

Kolojashnij and partner Amelia welcomed their first child Leni in March.

He said that there was some extra impetus to play well given he was without a deal.

Jake Kolodjashnij takes an intercept mark in front of Sydney’s Hayden McLean. Picture: Brendon Thorne/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

“I know my manager caught up with Mack and the fellas (on Friday), so I’m not sure exactly how that’s going. But I like to keep out of it as much as possible and I’m sure they’ll be in contact soon,” Kolodjashnij said.

“I guess there is a bit of motivation no doubt coming out of contract and want to play well, put your best foot forward. But at the same time, I don’t know I try not to overthink it too much and just go week by week and let my footy do the talking I guess.

“I’m just trying to put my best foot forward for the team each week and (Friday night) wasn’t ideal, but overall the season I think, we’re eight and six, we’ve got to sort of compartmentalise that now and just move on.”

Kolodjashnij said Carlton’s clearance dominance and the Cats’ turnovers hurt them in their 63-point loss, putting his hand up after an errant kick out of defence ended in a goal to Alex Cincotta in the third term.

He said his match-up with Curnow, who kicked four goals in 105 minutes on him, was challenging.

Jake Kolodjashnij has the daunting task of Charlie Curnow against Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein

“Obviously a decision error on my end, but I think just trying to take the game on more in that situation. Obviously didn’t work out that exact scenario, but as a team I don’t know, we just didn’t want to play safe and really take it to ‘em,” Kolodjasnij said.

“It sucks it didn’t pan out and a bad decision on my end, but I think that was the mindset we wanted going into the second half.

“Probably not my best night, he is obviously a superstar and he is going to have his moments, you sort of know that, you can’t beat yourself up too much but at the same time it was coming in pretty hot at times.

“His follow up work was pretty exceptional, he kicked through a few goals off the back of that and a couple of free kicks that were a bit iffy. But overall it’s tough, always tough going against a bloke of the calibre of his footy.”

One of the highlights of the year from a personal perspective was putting through a stunning goal on the run from close to the paint against Greater Western Sydney – just the fourth of his 187-game career.

“It doesn’t happen too often, so celebrate those when you get the opportunity,” Kolodjashnij chuckled.

Originally published as Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij on contract talks and challenging match-up against Charlie Curnow