The 46-year-old, who has recently moved back to the south-west after time in North Queensland, started his bowls career as a 17-year-old replacement for Grampians-based club Willaura. 

Collins, who has now set up base in Warrnambool and is renovating a house he has recently bought, was part of Koroit’s side that secured a comfortable 107-67 victory over Dennington Red on Saturday.

He said there is belief building within the walls of the Koroit Bowls Club despite the top grade side having bowed out of finals in straight sets in 2017-18.

“They are certainly confident and there is a good crew, with some good bowlers here,” he said. “There is still a couple of guys to come back in and they have a very good side and they will be very competitive.

“It’s a really good team environment so the pressure and workload is shared between everybody. Last week we had a couple of rinks go down and a couple go up. 

“The pressure is right across all the rinks during the day and the guys get along well and everybody absorbs it together.”

Collins, who played as a third under Brendan Keane, was pleased with the evenness of Blue’s 40-shot victory.

“Dennington gave their opponents (City Gold) a touch up last week and it was good to get over them and average 10 shots on each rink,” he said.

“We had a nine, eight, 12 and an 11 and it’s very good and all the rinks played evenly. You have to be happy with a win like that.”

Koroit, who recorded its second consecutive win, now sits in second place behind Warrnambool Gold.

Gold thumped Port Fairy Red 129-67 and the two are now the only undefeated teams after two rounds.

In other WDBD games, Terang Green edged out City gold by five shots (89-84), City Red burst away from Mortlake Blue 120-85, while Timboon Gold defeated Warrnambool Blue 91-65.