Leader News |
MITCH Collins' path to a 100-goal season began back in the warmer months of pre-season training.
The bustling forward moved from EFL club Mulgrave to YVMDFL Division 2 side Belgrave, where his brother Ben was senior coach, at the end of 2011.
One day earlier this year, Brett Ziesler, a family friend and Belgrave legend, sat Collins down for a chat.
As a star full forward with the Magpies in the 1970s, Ziesler kicked 100 goals for the club twice, 1972 and 1973, and holds a club record of 21 goals in a match.
"Brett got the game ball with all the signatures on it out and he just told me about how it was a great feeling, a good achievement," Collins said.
"It was a really good chat. I was asking questions and he said it if it was something I set myself to do he was pretty confident I could get the ton."
On Saturday, Collins entered the clash against Yarra Glen with 98 goals to his name and reached the ton in the opening quarter before finishing the game with three goals after hurting his knee in the first term.
A large contingent of friends, family and former teammates were on hand at the Belgrave Recreation Reserve to watch Collins etch his name into the club record books at the third Magpie to reach the century.
"It's definitely something I'm proud of, but the main goal is to get the flag and up into Division 1 to give it a real crack," he said.
A Dandenong Stingrays graduate, Collins played in a flag-winning side at Cora Lynn in the Ellinbank and District League with brothers Ben and Dave before joining Beaconsfield then Mulgrave.
Ben Collins said as a forward his brother played to his strengths brilliantly.
"Mitch is a really solid grab, he doesn't drop many marks," he said.
"Although, if he kicked a bit straighter, he'd have 150 goals by now.
"Opponents underestimate how quick he is. Mitch is solid, so people tend to think he's a bit slow, but he's really quick off the mark and his body work is second to none."
Ben Collins has experienced a unique mix of emotions about his little brother's feat.
"As a coach I'm massively proud of Mitch," he said. "He's definitely been a cornerstone of our our game.
"When he came to the club we said he could kick 100 goals, so for it to happen is rewarding.
"As his brother I'm rapt. Our old man is over the moon, we're undefeated on the top of the ladder and Mitch is lining up for 100 goals but, in the big picture, it means nothing if we don't win the premiership."