NRL round 11 Friday football live: Bulldogs vs. Sydney Roosters, SuperCoach scores and stats
Missing the majority of the start of the year due to a knee injury and virus, Collins has told this masthead that despite the time away, he would be ready to be selected in coach Billy Slater's top 17 if he gets through the clash with the Bulldogs on Friday night.
'I'd be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it. My focus is getting back on the field, and the Bulldogs is a big test, so yeah,' Collins said regarding retaining his Maroons jersey.
'I'm trying to not really think about it too much and give it too much energy because we need to be ready for the Bulldogs on Friday.
'It's going to take a full 80-minute performance to match it with them, so yeah, it's definitely the test.'
Although Collins has missed the last four games for the Roosters, the experienced front rower has felt comfortable with his team's performances, especially his younger counterpart Naufahu Whyte.
In Collins' absence, Whyte, 23, has been a revelation for the Roosters, and although the younger front-rower caught fans off guard, Collins always believed he would fill the role nicely.
'We always knew he was going to be good,' Collins said.
'He is always testing us in the opposing team, always giving us a bit of a headache, and it's great to finally see him get his flowers.'
While there's been full focus on the Bulldogs for Collins this week, the 29-year-old has used his time away from the field to start preparing for life away from footy.
Adding to his already long list of accomplishments, which include two NRL premierships, State of Origin series victories, and more recently a World Cup, Collins has put his hardman persona to the side to complete a diploma in mortgage broking.
'I have just become a mortgage broker and have started working with a seller under a mentorship,' Collins said.
'It was keeping me busy for a bit there, just doing bits and pieces which is good to prepare for life after football. I'm actually a carpenter by trade, but it got to the point where I realised I can't be on the tools at 35 after a 10-year career playing rugby league.'
Despite a full-time training schedule with the Roosters, Collins has dedicated a day a week to his new career, catching up with his mentor to learn more about broking.
In the lead up to Friday nights clash, Collins, along with Roosters teammates James Tedesco, Connor Watson, and Sam Walker, all caught up for a game of darts at the Sporting Globe Sydney, on King St Wharf, before the venue reopens on Friday.
The team takes on the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Friday night.
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