Gold Coast defender Sam Collins opens up about his best and worst days in football

One text message received on a holiday in Thailand confirmed what Sam Collins suspected – he was to be delisted by Fremantle. The Suns defender opens up about his darkest day and how grateful he is that it happened after thriving at Gold Coast.

ONE text message received on a holiday in Thailand confirmed what Sam Collins suspected – he was to be delisted by Fremantle.

Collins had just been named Peel Thunder’s best and fairest after a stunning season in the WAFL for the Docker’s aligned club but he knew what was to come after struggling to break into the senior team despite his form.

The now 25-year-old was in Thailand with former Fremantle teammates Matthew Uebergang and Ryan Nyhuis at the end of 2017 when they each got a message detailing when their exit meetings with the club were.

Sam Collins poses during the Gold Coast Suns AFL Team Photo Day at Metricon Stadium on February 18, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

“The interview times for me and Matt were for 30 minute periods, 45 minutes apart while Ryan’s was scheduled for something like 12.12pm for five minutes,” Collins said.

“Matt and I knew the writing was on the wall.

“The flight was delayed coming back so we pretty much went from the airport straight to the club where they told me I was delisted. That would be the darkest day I have had. Nothing can compare to that.

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“We were in the meeting and I didn’t have the greatest relationship with Ross (Lyon) so I wasn’t going to have a great discussion with him about the mistake I thought he was making so I just copped it and took it for what it was.

“I knew in June when I was playing great in the WAFL and not getting an opportunity, I knew it was coming from then. It was a slow burn from there.”

“At first it doesn’t hit home because I knew it was coming. It was more afterwards when they talk about making sure you have all the staff form your locker and hand back your key card.

Sam Collins (right) of the Suns contests the ball against Esava Ratugolea (left) of the Cats during the AFL Marsh Community Series pre-season match between the Gold Coast Suns and Geelong Cats at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, Saturday, February 22, 2020. (AAP Image/Darren England)

“That is when it hit me. I was in Western Australia so didn’t have any family there and three of my four housemates were all delisted on the same day. It was a tough period of time.”

Collins said it was the darkest time of his career but a moment he looks back on as a blessing in disguise. It took him out of a club he said didn’t value him put him on the path to be signed by Gold Coast at the end of 2018 after playing for VFL club Werribee for a season.

Buying a home is a relatively routine milestone for most AFL players but for Collins it represents his ability to bounce back from his lowest point.

For the first time in his life, the Suns defender is contemplating setting up permanent roots after toiling away and grinding in a bid to play at the highest level.

He finally feels settled and re-signed with Gold Coast until the end of 2022 earlier this year.

“It was my first contract extension so it’s unreal knowing I can be in one place for more than 24 months at least,” Collins said.

“I moved house nine times in last five years. To have a bedroom which will be my bedroom for a long time is amazing.

“I don’t need to go and sell and buy new furniture again. It’s little things like that I enjoy because you feel settled and feel like you are part of it and it’s home, not a place on your journey you will leave.

“I have great neighbours and I can give my energy to them and speak to them and make friends that way because I’m going to be here for longer than 24 months.

“You don’t realise until you feel settled again and you think this isn’t so bad at all.

“I felt like when I was back in Melbourne trying to get on an AFL list, I was waiting to pack up and go somewhere else.”