VFL: Sam Collins poised to resume AFL career after impressing for Werribee

WITH 165 marks from 15 games playing in the VFL as a key defender for Werribee, discarded Docker Sam Collins has pushed his name forward for a return to the AFL.

AFTER being delisted by Fremantle and signing at Werribee, Sam Collins set himself to have a “very good’’ season in the VFL this year.

He has done much more than that.

Collins has had such a dominating season that Bees coach Johnny Lamont suggests he’s worth two positions in the VFL team of the year, besides being picked as captain.

Seasoned VFL watchers well remember the fabulous years of Michael Frost at Werribee in 1998 and Aaron Edwards at Frankston in 2006. Both had been on AFL lists. Both quickly rose above the competition. Unsurprisingly, both won the JJ Liston Trophy, Frost with a haul of 32 votes.

Collins has played with comparable authority and could also land the Liston, despite Werribee winning only four matches.

If the umpires haven’t noticed his marking, AFL Victoria umpires boss Cam Nash may order eye tests for his entire squad.

After 15 matches, Collins — 194cm and 97kg — had pulled in 165 grabs, 52 of them contested. Countless times he’s thwarted rivals teams’ forward advances with intercept marks. His hands and the football make a contented couple.

Sam Collins (left) battles with Port Melbourne’s Jordan Lisle. Picture: Getty Images

The 24-year-old came out of the Oakleigh Chargers and Box Hill Hawks and was taken by Fremantle in the 2015 national draft.

He played 12 AFL matches in 2016 but only two the following year. Then he was let go by the Dockers, despite impeccable WAFL form that earned him Peel Thunder’s best and fairest and selection at centre half-back in the team of the year.

“Yeah, obviously I was disappointed to get delisted,’’ he said.

“I was playing pretty good WAFL footy, and I thought I had more to offer. That second year, I just didn’t get a look-in. I knew early on the writing was on the wall. Things changed drastically from one year to the other …

Collins, in one of his few AFL outings, marks in front of Collingwood's Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Colleen Petch

“But while I didn’t get any AFL games, playing in the WAFL wasn’t the worst thing. It was a good opportunity for me to develop my leadership and instruction on the field. I was much better for the experience.’’

On returning to Melbourne he trained with St Kilda, enjoyed it and hoped the Saints would take him as a key defensive option. They looked but passed.

After the rookie draft Collins weighed options from a string of VFL clubs, including Box Hill Hawks. Some were surprised he settled on stand-alone Werribee.

But he said he wanted to join a club “where I could have an influence on the playing group and play some good footy myself in a consistent position’’. And Lamont impressed him as a “really genuine person I would be able to have a good relationship with … he’s an absolute belter’’.

He’s in no doubt he made the right choice of club.

Collins (right) has been a revelation for Werribee this year. Picture: Getty Images

“I think people are learning from me, and I’m developing my leadership,’’ he said.

When his tally of marks was highlighted, Collins replied: “I’ve outdone myself, I think. The game plan helps me. Guys will look for me on the kick-outs or if I run to the right spot they know it’s my strength and they’ll back me one-on-one. Can’t underestimate the pressure up the ground either and sending the ball long down the line, because that really plays into my hands. At the end of the day I’m the one who gets recognised for it but it really is because of what my teammates are doing.’’

Lamont said he had been expecting Collins to be a “very good player’’ for Werribee.

He didn’t expect him to be so supreme. Lamont laughed as he searched for a suitable superlative. He settled on “outstanding’’ and felt it fell short.

In the Tigers’ first practice match, against Richmond, Collins took a bag of marks early. It prompted Lamont to turn to his assistants in the box and say, “Whatever happens, make sure this bloke doesn’t get injured’’.

“He’s the field marshall of our defence, gets everyone organised, ’’ Lamont said.

“His ability to read the ball and anticipate and help his younger and less experienced teammates … they work together as a team and he leads it.

“He’s had some games where he hasn’t had 15 marks or whatever but he’s still exerted an influence with his leadership and by helping other players.’’

Collins played just 14 games in two seasons for Fremantle, before being delisted. Picture: Getty Images

From the forward line, Werribee’s other recruit with AFL experience, ex-Western Bulldog Andrew Hooper, has repeatedly seen Collins “read the ball unbelievably well, come off a man and take a mark’’.

“Because he knows where it’s going, he can have an impact with a mark or a punch,’’ he said. “He backs himself in, as he should when he’s got that sort of skill.’’

Lamont said Collins had had an “enormous influence’’ on the Werribee squad “from day one’’.

That was emphasised to him again when he was speaking to supplementary list player Nich Weightman a few weeks ago.

“We were discussing his footy and where he was at and totally unsolicited he said to me, ‘It’s just been great training with Sam Collins,’’ Lamont said. “So this is a supp list kid saying this. ‘Collo’ gives equal time to him as he does to Dane McFarlane or Michael Sodomaco, relative to the time he spends with them.’’

A Werribee supporter remarked last week that because he expected Collins to be drafted, “I’m just enjoying him while he’s here’’.

“If he doesn’t get drafted there’s something wrong,’’ Hooper noted.

Collins would relish a second AFL listing.

“Hopefully it happens. Fingers crossed. You never really know, do you? I think I’d take the opportunity with both hands,’’ he said.

In the meantime he’ll also continue to take his marks.

Werribee coach John Lamont. Picture: Mark Wilson

JOHN LAMONT ON SAM COLLINS

“He’s humble, well balanced, tough, courageous and a great teammate. His contested ball work in the air and on the ground is excellent. He’s uncompromising in his marking efforts, but at the same time if someone is in a better position he’ll block for them. What I’ve been most impressed with is that he’s still got the appetite to improve. The first thing I mentioned is his humility because he’s still looking to improve himself and to improve others. His decision-making and kicking have got better throughout the year. He’s been a great recruit for us. It’s been a pleasure to have him at our club. The whole playing list is appreciative.’’