Coming off a hip operation early in the year, Colledge made his way back into footy through the Perth reserves, only to break his jaw in his first league game.
When he recovered, he injured his hamstring and was later required to have an ankle operation, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.
But Colledge’s hard work is finally starting to pay off and, after an injury-free pre-season, he has this week joined his teammates for his first AFL road trip.
Speaking to Eagle Eye TV just hours before the club’s NAB Challenge clash with Sydney, Colledge said that he has loved every minute of the journey to Blacktown.
“It’s been wonderful,” he enthused.
“The first thing we did was check in at the airport and then went to the Virgin lounge. It was good to be in there and be around the boys. And then we flew over, that was good fun as well.
“It’s just great to be here and get a taste of travelling life with an AFL team.
“Obviously you’ve got to adjust to a different kind of lifestyle. Jumping on the bus and doing your own thing there and making sure you keep the same routine you have back home.
“It’s important to keep it as simple as possible when you come over here.”
Colledge is in line to play his first game for the blue and gold tonight and said that after a good sleep last night, he is raring to go.
“I think just being around the boys and just feeding off their energy and how excited they’re going to be for tonight, that’s the thing I’m looking forward to most about tonight.
“The main thing is just to play my role and impress the coaches and the other players and hopefully earn their respect as quickly as possible.
“So if I can do that and then hopefully get a win, that’s the main thing obviously.”
