No story encapsulates the importance of local football quite like Tom Atkins’ journey, a career of resilience and perseverance.  

Atkins grew up playing with the St Joseph’s Football Club in the Geelong Football League, playing his junior and early senior footy there, before joining the Cats VFL list as a development player in 2014.  

The tough on-baller helped St Joey’s to win a GFL Premiership in 2015, before spending the next few seasons developing his craft at the VFL level.  

Atkins was rewarded with a spot on the Cats rookie list in 2019, before going on to be a Premiership player for the Cats in 2022. 

Ahead of the annual Country Game this Saturday, Atkins spoke about the importance of local football and how it shaped his development as a young player.  

"I think it is really important, the support that head coaches provide at a local level which gives players that are on a VFL list the chance to develop,” Atkins said.   

“I really enjoyed playing with my friends, we were very fortunate to have a really tight group that went all the way through juniors and then into the senior program together.  

“It was exciting after school to then come to training when you knew you were going to see some of your mates. 

“My Dad coached here in the early 2000s and I remember being around eight or nine years old, running around and annoying all of the senior players.” 

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Tom Atkins: St Joseph's at Heart | Country Game 2024

We sat down with Tom Atkins ahead of our Country Game against Essendon to chat all things local footy, St Jospeh's, the volunteers who keep our game running and some of his favourite memories!

During a five-year stint at the VFL level, Atkins accolades included a best and fairest, VFL team of the year selection, as well as captaining the Cats in 2017 and 2018.  

The fundamental skills that had been instilled in Atkins’ game during his time with St Joseph’s, made him confident that he would be ready to take the step when the opportunity presented itself.  

Atkins noted that while the entire St Joseph’s community played a role in his development, there were a few people that put him on the path to success.  

"Heath Jamieson was massive for me and my development,” Atkins said.

“He was also very understanding of what the VFL program required of me and was willing to let me spend a lot of time there because he knew it would help me develop as a footballer.  

“His guidance and light hearted nature really made footy fun, and other guys like Shane Jack, I had a really good relationship with him.  

“Figures like that had a great influence over my development as a young player."  

The Cats take on the Bombers in the traditional Country Game on Saturday night at the MCG.

Get your tickets today at ticketek.com.au