GEELONG physical performance manager Scott Murphy has highlighted the efforts Tom Atkins has made to transform his body for AFL football.
Murphy says that a year on the Cats list has allowed Atkins to pull off a body overhaul.
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Atkins returned to training in great condition, performing strongly in the club’s shuttle run testing.
“Tommy Atkins had a good run which was pleasing,” Murphy said.
“He’s come along in leaps and bounds and we’ll have high expectations of him as a running athlete next year.”
“It was probably always bubbling underneath him, he’s cleaned up his diet a lot and changed his body composition and he’s been able to express the athlete that he probably has been for a number of years by committing himself thoroughly.”
View this post on InstagramTom Atkins was doing the #RunItStraight Challenge before it was cool #StandProud #WeAreGeelong
Murphy said having Atkins in the club program prior to taking his spot on the AFL list meant the Cats knew what they were getting on draft night.
“Tom was lucky in that he was a VFL player that we had a fair bit of knowledge about,” Murphy says.
“He was well-schooled and well-coached in the VFL program so it was just a matter of transitioning into a full time environment.”
“The biggest change in Tom in becoming a full-time professional was the opportunity to spend a lot more time in preparation.”
