Collins Eager for Queensland Return in Mackay
A return to sunny Queensland for the next fortnight has Lindsay Collins primed as the Red, White and Blue look to impress the Mackay locals this Saturday night in their Round 9 clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
After missing the Roosters' three clashes at BB Print Stadium throughout 2021 whilst in Sydney, the burly front rower is excited to return to experience the region's atmosphere.
The venue holds a special place in the enforcer's heart as well, having played a number of junior representative matches before making his very first appearance in the famous Tricolours in a trial match in Mackay way back in 2017.
Collins: "We Love Playing Up In Mackay"
“Being a Queenslander I don’t mind being back up there,” Collins joked.
“I played a couple of junior games in Mackay, and I think I played my first ever Roosters game in a trial match up there against the Cowboys in 2017.
“Mackay is a wonderful spot and it’ll be great to get up there. We get a lot of support from the local community up there.
“Mackay is a big Rugby League town, so it’ll be great to get up there and put on a performance for them.
“They love playing out there and watching from home (last year), it always looked like they had a big crowd out there.
“It might not necessarily be tens of thousands (of fans), but it almost seems like it the way they cheer and support and creates a good atmosphere.”
Mackay is a big Rugby League town, so it’ll be great to get up there and put on a performance for them.
Lindsay Collins Sydney Roosters Front Rower
With the Roosters looking to return to the winners' circle after two narrow defeats, Collins says that this week presents an opportunity for the side to get back to the form that saw them claim two famous wins in Queensland in Round 4 and 5.
As their opponents also search for their first win in a month, the 25-year-old is expecting another tough, close contest.
“I think we just need to stick to our guns,” he said.
“We’ve got faith in our system and we’re close. We know that and we’ve just got to keep working hard. The rewards will come off the back of that.
“Everyone competes every week so it’s just another round. The last couple have been close.
“We aren’t not expecting a tough round this week either.”
Following their successful two-week trip to the sunshine state earlier in the season, Collins believes that the time spent together for the entire squad will be beneficial throughout the entirety of the season.
“It was a really good two weeks," he said.
"We had a good time in Townsville, it was nice and hot and we were by the pool most of the time.
“Down in Brissy for another week, it just brought us closer together. The boys were together and just enjoying each other’s company.
“We’re looking forward to another two weeks, it’ll be good fun.”
