When the Cats selected Tom Atkins with pick 11 in the 2018 NAB Rookie Draft, they were optimistic they had found a ready-made player in the two-time VFL Best and Fairest winner.
Atkins held up his end of the bargin in 2019, proving to be every bit the fanatical pressure forward the club hoped he would be.
After a five-year journey from Geelong’s VFL development team to the senior list, Atkins wasn’t going to let his chance slip.
Game Breaking Performance
Atkins’ round seven effort against Essendon demonstrated just what the pocket rocket can bring to the table.
The hard-edged midfielder and forward proved simply impossible for the Dons to tackle as he busted through countless tackles on his way to a season-high 23 touches.
Watch the video of his bustling efforts below.
Standout Moment
With the Cats’ season teetering on the edge after a disappointing qualifying final performance against the Magpies, Tom Atkins set the tone in the club’s magic semi final win.
Atkins brought the heat as Geelong blew the Eagles out of the water early at the ‘G.
View this post on InstagramKing Atkins Bringer of heat and setter of the tone. #ThisIsYourMoment #WeAreGeelong
The Quote
“Bigger things going on in the world mate I still get to have a run around in the 2s! Will catch you round the club.”
Cats Media got a hold of Atkins’ classy response to GM of Football Simon Lloyd after going undrafted in 2017.
Fast forward to the end of 2019 and Atkins has 23 AFL games to his name and is living the dream.
Stats File
Atkins had a role and filled it in 2019. The pressure forward finished the year with the second most tackles at the Cats, trailing only his partner in crime Luke Dahlhaus.
Tackles:
Luke Dahlhaus 115
Tom Atkins 110
Gary Ablett 108
Tim Kelly 106
Brandan Parfitt 105
Ideal Locker Buddy
There are few harder heads in the league that the one on Tom Atkins’ shoulders but there is one in the Cats locker room – Joel Selwood.
Atkins spent some time through the midfield as the season developed and could benefit from all the experience his skipper brings to the table.
Both play like a bull at a gate with little regard for their own safety, so Atkins could look to Selwood as he continues to develop in his midfield role.
