There were two minutes remaining in the first quarter of Kieran Collins’ first game in the AFL ranks when it happened.
The ball was bouncing deep in the Giants forward 50m arc and hulking GWS forward Jon Patton was leading the 18-year-old Bulldog draftee in a foot race to the ball.
But as the play unfolded, it was clear that an errant bounce either way would result in very different outcomes.
As Collins tells it, only one of two things could happen.
“It’s gone over the back and I’ve just started running in and I knew if it was a shocking bounce he was going to kick a goal," he told westernbulldogs.com.au
“But then it bounced my way and and I just lined him up and took the tackle.”
Saying Collins ‘took the tackle’ understates the task of felling the 198cm and 103kg former number one draft pick.
Like something from the National Geographic channel, the chase and tackle was akin to a predator stalking and taking down its prey.
“Yeah it was a bit (like that), I just saw it and I just thought, yeah why not…I’ve got to have a crack.”
It was a moment that seemed to settle the Bulldogs big man after a nervous start.
In the game’s early stages, Collins found himself pushed under the ball by Giants ruckman Rory Lobb, who marked and kicked an easy opening goal.
But after a couple of contests, Collins settled and went on to have a strong first outing in the red, white and blue, gathering ten disposals, four marks and affecting multiple marking contests.
“I thought I played pretty well for my first hit out," Collins said.
“Just adjusting to it and the speed of the bigger bodies was a big ask, but as the game went on I started to get into it and the swing of things.
While Collins was rightfully pleased with his performance on Thursday night, he knows he has plenty of work to do to establish himself at AFL level.
“To take that next step I’ve got to boost my endurance and speed," he said after training on Monday morning.
“I think (if I do) that will be a bonus in terms of playing on the bigger boys and really looking to run them around.”
