Gold Coast defender Sam Collins can only be thankful for his second chance at an AFL career.
The ex-Fremantle player was cut adrift by the Dockers at the end of the 2017 season and spent last year playing in the VFL with Werribee.
Despite the Tigers missing the finals, Collins won the club's best and fairest and polled third in the state league's Liston Trophy count.
It was enough to convince the Suns to give him another shot at the top level.
The 24-year-old has played in all seven matches for the Suns, impressing especially in the early weeks of the year as the Suns claimed three wins from the opening four rounds.
While Collins is new to the club, he's already making a name for himself as an on-field leader, something he says he developed during his time with Werribee.
"I've looked to come out of my shell a bit earlier on - direct, instruct and organise a bit more out there because last year that's what got me back on the list," Collins told AAP.
"I want to keep doing that and keep building and make sure I'm still improving as a player."
After playing just 14 games in two seasons with Fremantle before being cut, Collins says his year at Werribee has not only improved him as a player it has given him a deeper appreciation of how much he wants to prove himself in the AFL.
"I've got a great perspective of what it's like not playing AFL," he said.
"I was at uni before I was drafted first (and) it's not the same as working full-time.
"Very appreciative of what I've got and not really willing to let up too easy, just need to keep working hard and keep making myself better. That's the way to go."
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