Lance Collard

[Sanctorum]

In one of the clips Collard is interviewed and when asked who he aspires to play like he responded' "Shai Bolton".

Looking at some of his highlight reels he certainly shows some of that mercurial dash and leap for marks that Bolton does, so if he can produce that for St Kilda that will be something to get the fans off their seats.

Following is what FoxFooty wrote about Collard last week:

"Some scouts believe he’s WA’s most talented prospect. A few months ago, Collard would’ve been outside the top 40 of some club draft boards. Now he looms as genuine top 20 chance after an outstanding finish to his year, booting 10.1 across two WAFL colts finals to finish with 32.13 from 11 games for the season. Collard had just one standout performance in a quiet national carnival for WA – 2.2 against Vic Country – although clubs were sympathetic to the fact he had asked to spend more time with his family during that period. Blessed with an enormous leap, electric speed and great goal nous, Collard then starred at the combine with a solid 2km time trial result of 6:32 before recording the fastest agility test of any prospect (8.157 seconds) and finishing fourth in the 20m sprint (2.923 seconds). Just as importantly, clubs were impressed by how he carried himself during the interview process. While Collard was a consistent goalkicker and showed ample tricks inside 50 this year, recruiters believe he has the skills, polish, class and athleticism to play up the field. Collard, who grew up a Fremantle supporter, is tied to the Eagles via their Next Generation Academy."

32.13 from 11 games, admittedly at junior level, is nonetheless outstanding.

[Otiman]

The more I see and hear about Collard, the more I think he's a direct Gresh replacement with more upside.

[SAINT-LEE]

I met him when he was 17. He was very shy but he never stopped looking me in the eyes when we chatted (a whole 3 mins lol). He was acting like a young man with a strong mind...firm handshake, looked me in eyes, respectful, even slipped in a cheeky comment. Then a few hours later he kicked 2 goals. Great lad I reckon.

I seriously didnt think he'd come our way. All the chatter was Eagles were dead keen on him...but I heard early this year he told them he wanted out of WA.

Hope he is a bright flame for years to come!

[Saintmike65]

We may not have this kid for a long time but geez, I reckon he’ll give us a hellava ride!
Gives me Shai Bolton vibes…Hope I’m right!

[Saintmatt]

Watched him kill games in 5 minute bursts throughout the juniors . Sits on heads (including my sons) , great lead , super fast and holds his feet and big on the chirp. Could move up the ground a bit too. Boom or bust

Best regards to your lad and please thank him from me/us for providing himself as an educational step-ladder to Lance! I think he'll be a massive boom if we can help him overcome the inevitable homesickness. Just oozes Kosi Pickett-like skills and natural goal-sense.

[Big Max]

Welcome Lance!

Will need to work hard to displace Butler or Higgins in the side.

You can't play 3 opportunistic forwards in the same side.

Collard may have more x factor than either Butler or Higgins

[Otiman]

Good video of him on the Saints page. Living with Brad Hill and Liam (Henry not Stocker, I assume).

https://www.saints.com.au/video/1474787 ... 1843326001

[CQ SAINT]

Good video of him on the Saints page. Living with Brad Hill and Liam (Henry not Stocker, I assume).

https://www.saints.com.au/video/1474787 ... 1843326001

Rocket arm. Small body.

Indicates high core strength and natural ability to maximise energy and precision from his core using balance and body weight.

Size might'nt matter? Would be cool if we unleash a legend.

[B.M]

Better than Gresham and Billings?

Both will end up 200 game AFL players

Collard is 65 kilos and hasn’t played a game yet

[CQ SAINT]

Better than Gresham and Billings?

Both will end up 200 game AFL players

Collard is 65 kilos and hasn’t played a game yet

I'm thinking better in terms of actually being a small forward and kicking lots of goals, using reading the run of the ball and being able to execute the 'goal kicking skill.

Neither Gresh or Billings were very good at kicking goals.

[B.M]

Gresham kicked 35 in his second year and won the goal kicking.

We were all on the Gresham train in 2018

[Waltzing St Kilda]

Gresh will probably kick 35 this year if the Injectors make him a dedicated small forward. He's still no Stephen Milne though.

[CQ SAINT]

Collard just kicked 27 in 10 games in a state league competition of his age peers and didn't score in 2 of the games.

He is running at 2 goals over his last 2 seasons and 3.1 at the top age.

[CQ SAINT]

3,6,2,4,5,2 and 5 and 5 in 2 finals.

Not bad going. Kevin Bartlett reckons it's average.

[CQ SAINT]

I remember people thinking NWM will take a while too.

188cm and 69 kg or something, wasn't it.

180cm and 65 kg looks consistent with a little more burst power and a much lower centre of gravity.

He looks just as in control of the skills though and adapting to pace shouldn't take long.

Stay on the ground and get around Max King.

Watch his goals, he is very dangerous from the pockets Lonie used make look difficult. How big was lonie?

[CQ SAINT]

Ben Long 182 62

[samuraisaint]

Let's hope not Jamie Cripps Mark 2- at least as far as another small forward wanting to return to WA

And if he does, at least play hardball with them. The Eagles promised they would reciprocate if a player at the Eagles wanted to return to Vic and play for us. But when Mitch Brown wanted too, they didn't budge at the time.

[Moods]

Better than Gresham and Billings?

Both will end up 200 game AFL players

Collard is 65 kilos and hasn’t played a game yet

I think Cyril Rioli played 180 odd games and he was better than both those players, by a very long margin. And I'm not sure either of those two former Saints will end up 200 game players. Time will tell. Aaron Fiora played 160 odd games. 1st round draft picks are often given plenty of time to find their feet and gifted games out of hope more than anything. Look at Pou last year?

Whether this kid turns out to be a star is very much conjecture, but unlike yourself, I'm very happy the club moved these blokes on and we're taking some risks to try and improve.

[B.M]

If you are trying to convince me that Billings and Gresham didn’t play any good footy for StK - you’re wasting your time

Both, when injury free, were very good players

[B.M]

I’d be happy - and a little surprised- if Collard ends up as good as either

Why the Rioli comparison?

[Yorkeys]

If you are trying to convince me that Billings and Gresham didn’t play any good footy for StK - you’re wasting your time

Both, when injury free, were very good players

Both gifted sweet skills but often mentally soft/lacking composure. Desperate acts few and far. Seemed to play on their terms.

[B.M]

Disagree

And you’re saying that because they’re gone

Both players played a lot of good games at StK

Both finished top 5 in the B&F

Both had multiple games where they kicked multiple goals and were judged in the best 3 on the ground

If Collard ends up as good as either both the club and I would be happy

[B.M]

Oh, and both got limited due to injury

[CQ SAINT]

If you are trying to convince me that Billings and Gresham didn’t play any good footy for StK - you’re wasting your time

Both, when injury free, were very good players

I rank Billings and Gesham about the same as Webster and Paton.

One never really found a position and the other one was injured a lot but couldn't over come it.

[B.M]

Let’s see how they go in their new colours

And Coffield too

At their best were very good players in StK colours

Imo will be absolute bargains at their new clubs

As will Dow and Henry at StK

Bonner May surprise too