A recently re-signed Lindsay Collins has taken a positive and pragmatic approach to his career after suffering a season-ending ACL injury, one that has him earmarked for a leadership role in the Roosters' ranks for years to come.
When presented the chance to recommit to the Club, there was no hesitation for the hulking front rower to sign on the dotted line, citing the desire to repay the faith that the Roosters had handed him since walking through the doors at Moore Park.
“I don’t think I even asked for the details really,” he said.
“I was told that ‘they’re offering you a contract' and I said yes straight away.
“This Club means a lot to me, and I want to give a lot back. They gave me an opportunity to come down here when I was 20 years old and I haven’t looked back since.
"It’s awesome to feel that faith and trust that the Club has in me."
Round 17 Media - Lindsay Collins
After a ruptured ACL ended his season in Round 8, the Queensland State of Origin representative says that while an enduring rehabilitation process could have knocked his confidence, the time away from trampling over opponents has given him an opportunity to think outside the box and set up his future.
“It’s actually going really well,” he said of his recovery.
“I think I’m about seven weeks post-surgery, so I’m starting to do a bit more extensive rehab which is good. There was a period there where I just had to let it heal and recover but I’m starting my rehab process now.
This Club means a lot to me, and I want to give a lot back. They gave me an opportunity to come down here when I was 20 years old and I haven’t looked back since.
Lindsay Collins On re-signing with the Club
“I’ve had a couple of injuries so far already, and this is the biggest one by far, but it’s actually kind of refreshing in a way.
“I know that sounds weird in a way and you 100% want to be out there every week, but you sort of get time to yourself; time to re-evaluate things, see how you’re progressing and moving forward as well.
“Injuries are a part of footy and it is what it is – you can’t sit around moping. You’ve just got to get back on that horse and keep going. Footy is a short time in your life so you’ve got to look for things in the future. You’ve got to set yourself up for life after football.
“I think the beauty of football is that you’ve got time to think about your future and what you want to do. A lot of people get thrown into university straight after school and think that’s what they have to do so I am grateful for footy giving me that time to put things in perspective."
With a host of senior players retiring, all of a sudden the 25-year-old now finds himself in a position of seniority in the Roosters' ranks - despite still feeling like one of the new kids on the block.
A mid-season camp to the NSWRL Centre of Excellence in Homebush during the representative round has set Collins' sights on leading the Tricolours into battle upon his return to the field in 2022.
Round 17 Media - Daniel Tupou
“It was a bit funny when that got mentioned the other day at training,” Collins said of a leadership role.
“I still see myself as that 20-year-old kid that has just come down here. It’s a bit different stepping into that role but I don’t think anything really changes.
“What I’ve been doing for the last five years is what I want to continue to do; keep growing and lead by my actions.
“It was a bit of a mid-season camp where we had to assess things and see how we’re tracking along, it was pretty insightful.
“We’ve lost a couple of role models, those big players that have a lot to do with our team this year and we have to move on and move past that. It was all about rectifying that and continuing.
"We’ve got a lot of young blokes coming up through the ranks, and it is exciting when you see the team each week and seeing that young crop come through."
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