Twelve months ago, Romsey’s Logan Collins was finding his feet as represented Vic Country at the under-17 national male cricket championships.
Fast forward to his top age year in the under-17s, Collins helped lead the Vic Country attack and was named in the team of the tournament.
“It was pretty good,” Collins said as he got back into local cricket.
“When they called out my name [in the team of the year] it was great and one of the best achievements for me playing cricket.
“I knew I was tied in first place for wickets for a pace bowler. I thought I was 50-50 to get in … The last person they read out was my name. It was great to hear.”
Collins said his experiences playing in the tournament last year helped him massively as he took the next step.
One of the biggest learnings was the mental side.
“I didn’t know what to expect last time,” he said. “Even the preparation for getting your body right for the next day.
“As a bottomager I wasn’t ready mentally. I didn’t know what my role was and I got upset that I wasn’t bowling the overs I wanted to.
“This time I knew what to expect and what my role was and I was able to take wickets.”
The recognition in the team of the tournament is reward for hard work and a lot of travel for Collins.
He spends many hours on the road each week with different commitments, trainings and games.
“I was driving an hour for practice games,” he said. “Romsey is an hour from Junction Oval.
“Sometimes I have to go after school and leave early from Kilmore.
“We’ve had practice matches in Frankston, so it’s two hours. I can’t do it without mum and dad.
“They were up in Brisbane with me which was really good.”
Collins’ has been playing plenty of cricket.
He’s part of Prahran’s under-18 team and has played a couple of senior matches.
“My brother William is there,” Collins said.
“He got me down there and they are a great club. I’m enjoying my time there.
“I’ve played one senior game in the thirds with Will. I’m looking forward to playing with him more.”
Collins has also played school cricket with Assumption College.
And then there’s under-17s and senior cricket with Romsey.
“They are a good bunch of guys and enjoy playing cricket there,” he said.
“We’ve got a pretty competitive team and it’s good to have an experience captain in Ben Way.
“He played at Melbourne and is a role model of mine.
“He convinced me to stay another year.”
A premiership with the Redbacks is on Collins’ wishlist short term.
