VFL 2019: Defender Kieran Collins joins Northern Blues
FOUR years after he led an imposing TAC Cup defence with Jacob Weitering, Kieran Collins has been reunited with the no. 1 draft pick in navy blue.
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FOUR years after he led an imposing TAC Cup defence with Jacob Weitering, Kieran Collins has been reunited with the no. 1 draft pick in navy blue.
Collins has signed with Carlton’s VFL affiliate Northern Blues for 2019 after playing one AFL match during a three-year stint with the Western Bulldogs.
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Still only 20, the powerful key defender will be out to reignite his AFL career at Princes Park under Blues coach Josh Fraser.
“Sometimes it is no more than just timing and having opportunity to prove yourself,” Fraser said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. There’s probably things in his game he needs to continue to work on, as does every player.
“The thing I like about him is he’s really determined to have a great season with us and see where that leads to.”
Originally from Langwarrin, Collins was chosen by the Bulldogs at pick no. 26 in the 2015 national draft.
He made his AFL debut in Round 9 of his debut campaign but failed to play another senior game.
He arrives at Northern Blues with 40 games of VFL experience.
“He is going to add a lot to us and he actually gives our list some more flexibility,” Fraser said.
“Predominantly he is going to play back but he does have the ability to play forward.
“It gives us some options with other players now. What I have been most impressed with is his leadership and the way he is setting some standards.
“He’s come out of a pretty good environment at the Western Bulldogs and he knows what is expected.”
Fraser said Collins would allow the club’s other defenders to “walk a bit taller”.
“He’s going to give us a really strong presence in our back half and from what I have seen at training already he’s rarely beaten one-on-one,” he said.
The Blues have re-signed key trio Jesse Palmer, Tom Wilson and Sam Fisher, while rising stars Max Dreher, Jordan Lynch, Ethan Penrith and Jean-Luc Velissaris have put pen to paper.
“All the guys that have recommitted have come back in really good shape. Not only physically, but mentally,” Fraser said.
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