Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Played for Fitzroy and Essendon.

Jonathan does look like Brian but neither look as manly as KC.

[Twodogs]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Jonathan does look like Brian but neither look as manly as KC.

I'd back KC to grow a full beard quicker than either of them.

[Axe Man]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Collins reminds me a little of Cameron Smith from Melbourne Storm - now he's in his early 30s he has finally caught up with the age he has looked since he was a teenager!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Congrats KC on your debut this weekend.
Hope you Rip 'Em to Shreds!!!

[Twodogs]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Go Dad!

[Bornadog]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Can't wait to see him in action.

[Axe Man]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

'Dad' up for baptism of fire: 'He fights until the death'

A BAPTISM of fire against an imposing Greater Western Sydney forward line won't worry Western Bulldogs debutant Kieran Collins, according AFL Academy coach Brenton Sanderson.

The hulking defender impressed in the NAB Challenge against the Giants and recently in the VFL, and Sanderson believes the 18-year-old is physically ready to combat an attack featuring in-form big men Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton and Rory Lobb.

The Dandenong Stingrays' product, who's been given the nickname 'Dad' by teammates because of his mature looks, is the last of the Dogs' four 2015 draftees to debut following Josh Dunkley and Marcus Adams in round one, and Bailey Williams in last week's win over Melbourne.

Collins will be the 11th Bulldog to debut since Luke Beveridge took over as coach at the start of 2015, with only the Demons (12) blooding more players in that period.

"I rate him really highly; he was one of the big improvers in the national academy program in 2015," Sanderson told AFL.com.au.

"He started off the year really well and he just kept on getting better and better, so he'll adjust really quickly."

"He's got fantastic character and he's certainly made of the right stuff."

The Bulldogs were pleasantly surprised when the Under 18 All Australian was still available at their second selection (pick 26), after his attacking tendencies and competiveness saw him rise from a rookie chance to a widely predicted top 20 pick.

Finishing fourth for intercept marks at NAB AFL Under 18 championships and claiming the clean hands test at the draft combine were evidence of his vast improvement.

"He's an intercept marker and he got better and better at getting his hands on the footy and providing some offensive drive," Sanderson said

"It didn't matter who he played on, he had the ability to beat guys who where taller and stronger and he had great success against players who were smaller and more agile.

"He gained great confidence from beating a few players who went early in the draft (Josh Schache and Sam Weideman), but the thing I like about Kieran is he picks up stuff really quickly and learns on the job.

"And he fights until the death, there's no doubt about that."

In further good news, rugged midfielder Koby Stevens will return from an abdominal strain that saw the him miss past fortnight.

Before injury struck, the 24-year-old was in career best form by averaging 25 disposals and five tackles a game.

"Koby's building out a nice little year," Bulldogs midfield coach Joel Corey told the club's website.

"It's a little bit unfortunate the way it was interrupted, [but] he's worked hard in rehab, and hopefully he comes back in and performs straight away."

Lin Jong, Mitch Honeychurch and veteran ruckman Will Minson join Toby McLean, Bailey Dale, Bailey Williams and Caleb Daniel on an extended bench ahead of the Sunday's clash at Spotless Stadium.

[KT31]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Good luck to Kieran, wishing him a long and very successful career at the Doggies.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Really looking forward to seeing Dad making his debut.

[Ozza]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Good luck to the big young fella.
Hope he is one of those players that once he is in the side, he stays there for good.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Congratulations Kieran, am looking forward to you becoming part of the face and the rear end of the Bulldogs, the ballsy end.

[josie]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Go KC!! Shake yer bootie!! From write up and the little I have seen of him in VFL he is a body on body/ close check defender with great never say die attitude. Just what we need to support interceptor type back men like Woody and Adams. Good luck to our man child in game #1. Got a feeling it will be first of many.

[Eastdog]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Good luck Kieran. Hope you have a great debut. If you didn't know you would think that he has already play many senior games before

[Bornadog]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Played on Patton in the practise match and beat him. That will give him some confidence

[EasternWest]

Re: Welcome to the Western Bulldogs Kieran Collins

Can't wait to see him play.