Dale Collins is no flash in the pan – and it seems increasingly likely he will be no one-season wonder, either.
The Westbourne Grammarians new recruit has completed an extraordinary transformation from dour defender to star forward.
His former coaches must be scratching their heads and wondering why they did not swing the backman forward after his amazing haul of goals this season.
Since arriving at Westbourne, Collins has booted a remarkable 76 goals in 10 games in the VAFA division 4.
The 26-year-old is understandably loving his new role on the forward line.
“I’ve played backline most of my life so it’s something different for me to come across to Westbourne and play forward,” he said.
“I guess you get pigeonholed into positions – you play a couple of years as a backman and that’s what you do, I guess.
“I was getting a bit stagnant so it’s something new for me and it’s definitely enjoyable.”
When Collins landed at Westbourne after being recruited by assistant coach Justin Johns, the club surely thought it was getting a player who could add depth to the backline.
Warriors coach Roger Hand saw something in him that his old coaches did not and threw him forward from early in the season.
Collins booted a goal in each of his first two games – nothing really to write home about.
In round three against Mornington, he kicked seven goals. A week later he kicked seven more against top side Canterbury – and a week after that he bagged seven against Parkside.
Twenty-one goals in three games was impressive, but certainly no indication of what was to come for Collins.
The Werribee resident proceeded to boot 15 goals against Masala and then 17 against Chadstone.
The rampage continued with 11 against North Brunswick and nine in Saturday’s 92-point thrashing of South Mornington on the road at Citation Oval.
His only below-average day came two weeks ago when Box Hill restricted him to one goal by double-teaming him all game.
Collins looks the part in all facets of his forward game but is yet to have that look-at-me showmanship.
Like a defender, he prefers to deflect adulation to his teammates rather than gloat over his personal achievements.
Asked if he could get to 100 goals this season – he needs 24 more in six games – it was as if it was the furthest thing from his mind, even though his teammates will do everything in their powers to get him to the triple figures.
“To be honest, I’m not even looking at that,” Collins said of 100 goals in a season.
“I’d like to get into finals with these guys and definitely think we’ve got the team to have a crack at it. If the 100 comes along obviously it would be a bonus.”
In the day after he kicked 17 goals in a game, Collins flew to Bali for a pre-planned week-long holiday.
Avoiding the spotlight almost put him at ease.
“It was probably a good thing because the boys were giving me a bit of grief on Facebook,” he said.
Even Collins is shocked by the number of goals he has scored this season. He says he is not a man mountain, nor does he have speed to burn, so he relies on his teammates to find him in good positions.
“I’m pushing six foot, so I’m not big and I’m definitely not quick,” Collins said. “It comes down to team work. The guys who are delivering me the ball have been absolutely amazing and it makes my job a hell of a lot easier.”
The Warriors are second on the ladder with a sky-high percentage – and well positioned for an assault on the promotion-premiership double.
