ONE positive to take from the COVID-19 crisis is the Cats' rapidly shortening injury list.
Geelong defender Jake Kolodjashnij has confirmed he’s well advanced on the path to full health as he battles the hip injury that caused him to miss Round One and much of the pre-season.
“It started just before finals last year, it was originally just a little hip flexor strain. I did miss the back end of the home and away season last year,” Kolodjashnij says.
“I played out the rest of the finals and sort of underestimated it in a way overt the offseason and just thought it would go away.
“I got back first week and wasn’t able to run properly the way I’d like to."
When the Cats opted for the surgical route, it meant the durable Cat would most likely see some time on the sidelines.
“I had a shave of the bone and the cartilage tidied up, so it involved getting the hip flexors strengthened up initially and then building a lot of glute strength and everything around it to compliment it,” he says.
“Initially it was a lot of time in the gym and a lot of upper body as well early days because I was restricted. Then it was slowly introducing things like cutting, high speed and eventually footy which is sort of where I’m at now.”
The league-wide shutdown following the completion of Round One has allowed Kolodjashnij to take his time and tick every box in his rehabilitation.
“I’ve been taking the slow approach, since the COVID-19 stuff has happened to get my body right and I’m feeling really good at the moment and I’m actually in a good place,” he says.
“With what’s happened, I think I’ve been one of the only ones who have benefitted from it I guess, being in rehab.”
“Hopefully I can slot back in with the boys once they’re up and running.
“I’d like to think I’m at the pointy end (of my rehab). I’m introducing a lot of high speed. I’ve been doing a lot of cutting and agility work.
“Scarlo came down (to train) last week and I’ve been doing a lot of footy with him. I’m getting into a lot of footy specifics I guess, a lot of individual stuff that I want to get right coming back in.”
