Winning premierships has almost become a habit for Andy Collins.
The Williamstown coach added another to his collection at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, when the Seagulls upstaged the Box Hill Hawks by 54 points in the Peter Jackson VFL Legendairy Grand Final.
Collins took over at Burbank Oval at the start of last season – the beginning of a new standalone era for one of competition’s most storied clubs.
He promptly guided his troops to a preliminary final in his first season in charge, before a memorable run to the premiership this year.
The 50-year-old clearly understands the recipe for footballing success.
In 1985, he was Sandringham’s best-and-fairest player in a VFA premiership year, before going on to play 212 games for Hawthorn between 1987 and 1996 where he won premierships in 1988, 1989 and 1991.
Collins took up coaching at Sandringham immediately upon retirement from the AFL and led the Zebras to a flag in his first season in 1997.
He spent time as an assistant coach at St Kilda and then as Box Hill’s head coach before guiding Coburg to a VFL Grand Final in 2007 and West Adelaide to a SANFL Grand Final in 2012.
Now, Collins has a sixth flag at state league level or higher to add to his resumé.
But that doesn’t mean the emotions associated with reaching the summit have grown stale for him.
“To be able to reach that ultimate goal, it’s satisfaction,” Collins said of his overriding feeling about Williamstown’s triumph.
“Everyone that tells you about playing in grand finals (says that) once the adrenalin is out of your body, it’s the relief that you’ve actually achieved it.”
The striking thing about the Seagulls on Sunday was the entire team’s commitment to harassing and harrying the Hawks when they were in possession.
While Williamstown’s fleet-footed brigade of small forwards were particularly noticeable for their pressure acts and opportunism in front of goal – a crucial “point of difference” to Box Hill, according to Collins – a successful coach is always looking for a team effort.
“It sounds funny, but there were elements all over the field in regards to our defence,” Collins said.
“I don’t think we had a weak link; I’m happy to study the game, but I think there were 23 guys contributing for us.”
Building a squad of potential contributors – more than the 23 players who take the field on any one day – has become a hallmark of Collins’ time with the Seagulls.
The club’s development of depth is well illustrated by the fact that five players from Williamstown’s 2014 Development League premiership team – Dylan Conway, Andrew Gallucci, Anthony Anastasio, Tim Currie and this year’s Norm Goss Medallist Michael Gibbons – stepped up to be a part of Sunday’s success.
“Squads win premierships,” Collins said.
“To have such a strong squad at Williamstown, it’s a credit to the footy club.”
Given the Seagulls also claimed the Development League premiership this year, the depth of that squad should see Williamstown in the thick of the September action once again in 2016.
* Photo: Williamstown coach Andy Collins (right) holding the premiership trophy aloft with captain Ben Jolley
Last Modified on 29/09/2015 12:46
