Collingwood from frisbee fault to frontline fearsome

SAM Collingwood’s teammates have never let him forget how he sustained the injury which rubbed him out of the last cricket season.

But after his stunning exploits with the ball against Wests, the Norths brigade may have to refrain from further banter.

The opening bowler was pivotal in his side toppling the defending champions by 40 runs, claiming impressive

5-12 from 7.3 overs.

He began by removing Wests danger man and skipper Shaun Curnow, while keeping the run rate well down, before coming back for a second spell and dismantling the tail.

An ACL injury playing ultimate frisbee days before the start of last season took the towering player out of the Norths line-up in their last campaign, one in which they finished figures of bottom of the table with just two wins.

However in season 2020-21 they have equalled that tally from the opening pair of fixtures, and captain Matt Mcguire said it was not just his addition that sparked the transformation.

Youngster Travis Busch has also returned from injury this campaign, while Queensland Country representative Chris Stanger is in the process of moving from Cairns to Townsville, and should be a regular clusion by Christmas.

“He (Collingwood) was just very consistent, we can set fields to his bowling knowing he can bowl one side of the wicket,” Mcguire said.

“He’s so tall and he gets it to nip around — he’s very awkward and difficult to face, we have trouble with him at training so I can’t imagine what it’s like in the middle.”

Mcguire finished the inclash with Wests with 33 runs and 2-33 to his credit.

The captain said they had pinpointed the early contest with Wests as one that could define their season.

“We thought it was a big moment for the rest of the season.

“If we can knock them off early and get high on the ladder it will take some pressure off us when it comes down to the wire at the end of the season,” Mcguire said.