KADE Kolodjashnij and Steven May met separately with Melbourne, but the defender duo picked up on all the same vibes.

A strong sense of togetherness and family culture resonated with the former Gold Coast Suns players, who joined the red and blue on the final day of the NAB AFL Trade Period.

For 23-year-old Kolodjashnij, becoming a Demon was too good of an opportunity to miss.

“I sat down with ‘Goody’ (Simon Goodwin) and the team at the end of the season and they just stood out straight away,” he told Melbourne Media.

“They went through what they’ve developed over the years, the foundations they’ve set and what they stand for.

“They have that big family culture down there, which I love, and they are a really driven group. They play for each other and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Initially taken at pick No.5 in the 2013 National Draft, Kolodjashnij arrives with 78 games to his game, and his expected to provide the Demons with run-and-carry off half-back.

Having caught the attention of recruiters early on, he finished runner-up in the Suns’ best and fairest in his second season and received a rising star nomination the year prior.

Despite battling injuries in recent years – he played just 11 games in 2017 and eight games this year – Kolodjashnij is convinced he can find some consistency.  

“The last few seasons have been interrupted a bit with a few injuries and concussion, but I’m really confident I’m on top of that now,” he said.

“I sat down with the specialist mid-season this year and he gave me the thumbs up. It turns out it was more neck-related so I’ve been on a neck strengthening program ever since, and I really haven’t looked back.

“I ended up playing the last few games of the season and I was really confident in my body again.”

Originally from Tasmania, Kolodjashnij has spent the past five seasons on the Gold Coast, with the move to Melbourne an exciting prospect.

“It’s going to be all new to me,” he said.

“It’s a new city, a new game plan and new coaches, but I’m just looking forward to meeting everyone, working hard with the boys and taking that into a big 2019 season.”