Ellie Collins is enjoying her time as Launceston Tornadoes’ back-up tall.
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The Southern Tasmanian switched to the Torns from Hobart Chargers during the off-season to study education the University of Tasmania.
Collins averages 25 minutes, 9.2 points – up from 5.5 during her two seasons with Hobart – 5.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season heading to Saturday’s match against equal South Conference leaders Bendigo Braves at Elphin Stadium.
Collins is coming off her best game for the club against Melbourne a fortnight ago where she scored 22 points, collected eight rebounds and provided seven assists.
“Although I am still only 19 [years old] I am probably one of the more experienced players, but I am still learning a lot from the more experienced tall players like Tayla (Roberts) and Olivia (Chugg),” Collins said.
“I think the more we play together the better we will be as we become familiar with each other’s strengths and where we like to receive the ball.
“We have certainly improved our communication each week and we are becoming more confident with the offensive plays and defensive structures.”
Both the Tornadoes and Braves have made a 5-1 start to the season and Collins is predicting a tough encounter.
“Hopefully [we can achieve] good things, we’ve got a really good team… so once we get stabilised with a coach [following Ben Rush’s departure] it will be good,” she said.
“We have been working on our defensive transition.”