Queensland local Lindsay Collins is thrilled to be back in his home state ahead of the Roosters' blockbusting clash against the Brisbane Broncos on Friday night.
The 26-year-old has made a successful return from the ACL injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of last season, continuing his rise back on the field - evidenced by his performance last Saturday which saw him punch out 138 metres and 31 tackles in a strong 51-minute stint.
Now looking to reconnect with family in the sunshine state's capital, Collins credited the Club's move to spend the week up north as a factor for their strong performance against the Cowboys.
“It’s always good to be back home and play in front of your family,” he said.
“I’m catching up with a couple (of family members) this week and they’ll come out to the game on Friday. It’s always good to get back here and see them, and it’s been such a long time with covid.
“Bonding, cards, ping-pong; there’s been a lot of competition going over the last couple of weeks. That’s what these camps are all about. We sort of just feed off each other.
Collins: "You've Got to be on for Every Game"
“They sort of just take you back to when you’re a junior and you’re going away on a week-long camp or whatever.
“We just laugh, it’s all about having good fun. We’re enjoying ourselves.”
Although their opponents have suffered back-to-back defeats coupled with a handful of injuries, Collins says that his side won't be underestimating the Broncos - especially at their cauldron of Suncorp Stadium.
The hard-running forward also confirmed the return of Head Coach Trent Robinson following his self-isolation period, and was full of praise of assistants Matt King and Jason Ryles as they stepped up to the plate in his absence.
“He flew in this morning and is already back and into the thick of it,” he said.
“He’s got a couple of boys in meetings and video and review, so he hasn’t taken a breath.
“In meetings, Robbo was on the zoom he had his input, but Kingy and Rylesy took control there and it was a really good week.
“You can’t not think about every team coming into every week. The bottom can beat the top if the top’s not on, and it’s the same throughout the whole season.
“You’ve got to be on for every game, they’ve had a couple of losses there, but it doesn’t really mean much. We’re not focussing on that at all, they’re probably hungrier than ever.
Bonding, cards, ping-pong; there’s been a lot of competition going over the last couple of weeks. That’s what these camps are all about. We sort of just feed off each other.
Lindsay Collins On the Club's stay in Queensland
“We focus internally. If we’re not listening to that external noise, we won’t have anything to worry about and we go about it on Friday night like we would any other week.
“I’m expecting them to put in a big performance. They’ve got a good solid forward pack there and I’m keen for the contest.”
While the allure of returning to the State of Origin arena is certainly lingering - particularly after missing out on last year's series through injury - Collins reaffirmed that his sole focus has been to perform at Club level in the Red, White and Blue.
“That arena is the pinnacle of Rugby League really,” he said.
“That taste of it to represent your state, I really want to get back there but first thing’s first, I’ve got to keep performing at the Roosters and put in efforts week-in-week out.
“That’s my main focus at the moment, and if I continue to do that then hopefully that’ll come off the back of it."
