ROSEWOOD Roosters centre Zac Collins typifies the spirited player the country club wants to attract.
Collins knows the Roosters senior side is often considered an underdog in the Rugby League Ipswich competition.
However, that doesn’t stop him aiming higher.
In his third season with the Roosters, Collins hopes to see the club based at Anzac Park step into Reserve Grade after some improved performances in last year’s C-Grade series.
“It’s about trying to get those two squads – our Reggies [Reserve] and our C-Grade,” he said.
“I’m committing myself to Rosewood.”
Collins, 21, grew up in Marburg and played rugby at St Edmunds’ College before focusing on league.
After junior stints with Norths and Brothers, he started in Rosewood’s under-19 team before advancing into the senior ranks.
Last year, he was the C-Grade side’s third top try scorer with eight.
Speedster Damien Burrows was equal top try scorer in the competition with 10, with teammate Jerara Semple crossing for nine four-pointers.
Collins is eager to see a stronger turnout of players at Tuesday and Thursday night sessions, especially when Ipswich City Council finishes preparing the Anzac Park fields.
“I’ve got some mates here,” the labourer said.
“It’s a good little underdog club. A little club trying to make a difference.”
New Roosters head coach Paul Hassett agrees. He joined the club also hoping to field C-Grade and Reserve Grade sides this year.
Hassett is adopting the approach that “if you build it, they will come”.
He urged enthusiastic players in the region to attend training after pre-Christmas wet weather and ongoing heat provided early challenges.
“It’s time for the guys to get here and put their hand up and start getting a bit of fitness about ourselves so we can be ready for the season,” Hassett said.
“We also need the numbers for trial games as well.”
The new coach is looking for pre-season matches at the end of February.
“I expect to see a good number here,” Hassett said.
“It’s just a matter of patience and once those numbers start to grow, I think the rest will just be a follow-up.
“The rain has been a big factor on our clubs.
“Some are lucky they’ve got gyms they can work in but others have only got the outdoors.”
The Roosters finished seventh in C-Grade last season with six wins, a draw and nine losses.
Collins was encouraged by some promising performances in the hotly contested 10-team competition.
“There were standout teams that had good seasons,” he said.
“We started winning too late.”
The Roosters had a strong pre-season with a good turnout of players.
Ripley-based Collins is keen to see more players join the Roosters now under the guidance of experienced coach Hassett.
“He’s going to be good to work with,” Collins said of the Rosewood club newcomer.
“I’m just keen to try out for Reserve Grade and stuff like that. I’m still young.”
Collins said securing a Reserve Grade side would be a boost for the Rosewood community.
“It’s been a few years now and the likes of Brothers, Fassifern – I’d like to go out there and give it a good crack.”
