Atkins motors into his 50th VFL game for Cats
GEELONG VFL captain Tom Atkins says he is happy to roll with the punches as his stocks continue to rise ahead of this year’s national draft.
The inside midfielder has established himself as one of the competition’s tackling machines, sparking the interest of AFL clubs who are in need of some extra grunt.
But Atkins said he had not been paying attention to any draft speculation, putting all his focus into leading the inform Cats to finals.
“I haven’t looked into it too much. It’s not something that’s really worried me too much,” Atkins said.
“If people want to think (that I’m an AFL player), then they can.
“I think everyone does (want to play AFL), I certainly do. But it’s not something I’ve really focused on this year because I’ve got my other roles, trying to lead the team and trying to get in a winning position. If it comes then it comes, if it doesn’t then it doesn’t. That’s the way I have approached it in the past couple of years. I just try to play footy and whatever happens, happens.”
The 22-year-old St Joseph’s footballer has taken his game to a new level, winning the Cats’ best-and-fairest in 2016 and then being named captain this year.
Atkins, who joined the Cats as a development list player in 2014, said playing at Geelong had taken his game to a new level. “When I first came to Geelong, I was just a little inside player that would have maybe 10 touches a game and not really get involved at all,” he said.
“I’ve been trying to help others now, so I think that’s the main development that I’ve had. I want to help my teammates and contribute to the team and I think that’s increased.
“I’ve had a lot of support from the coaches and the leadership group.”
Atkins will play his 50th VFL game in Sunday’s clash with Frankston at SkyBus Stadium.
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” Atkins said of his 50th game.
“It’s been a long process, it’s been over a few years, but it is nice though. It’s just something that had come about. I never really had any intention to make 50 games. I’ve just been keen to play at the highest level for as long as I can.”
VFL TEAM: PAGE 33