Tom Atkins Biography

The switch of Tom Atkins from defence to onball has proven a pivotal part of Geelong's 2022 flag campaign.

"All the credit really goes to 'Axe'. You come across people who are just genuinely not about themselves - 'I will do anything that the team needs me to do'," Geelong midfield coach James Kelly said.

"All of that aside, he is a talented player. He's got some really good attributes and he's certainly changed the dynamic of the midfield. It's not like we just threw a crazy person into the midfield to see what they could do."

Tom Atkins has made the switch to defence in 2021 after being dumped from Geelong's forward line during the 2020 finals series.

"With the blokes we got in this year there wasn't much room in the forward line. You definitely think about where you fit into the team next year and stuff like that," Atkins said.

"I caught up with Corey Enright before pre-season went back and just spoke to him about what my role might be this year. From there he said 'Scarlo's' (backline coach Matthew Scarlett) looking to trial you down back and I started training down there and it's been a lot of fun."

Tom Atkins makes his AFL debut for Geelong at the MCG with 9 disposals (5 kicks and 4 handballs), 2 marks and 5 tackles in a 7-point win over Collingwood.

Since being promoted from the Geelong's VFL team to its AFL list in October last year, rookie forward Tom Atkins is missing one thing.

Atkins said his diet has had to change considerably since stepping up to the elite level.

"There's a lot of takeaway in my house, I live with three other boys, so we were probably doing three or four nights of takeaway [a week]," Atkins said with a laugh.

"The one I probably miss the most is I used to get a fish souvlaki from a fish and chip shop up the road, haven't had that for a few months."

After five years in Geelong's VFL program, a second best and fairest award for Tom Atkins in 2018 proved too much for Cats recruiters to refuse, selecting him at pick 11 in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft.

And while he has forged his name as an inside tackling machine at state league level, the 23-year-old believes a star-studded Geelong midfield might force him to look elsewhere.

"If I had to guess, I would probably say a small forward role and maybe helping out in the midfield where needed," Atkins said.

"I played midfield most of this year but might have played as a small half forward a few times, but two or three years ago I pretty much played the whole year in that role.

"From that I have learnt a bit of the craft, but obviously it is a different thing doing it at AFL level."

Geelong select Tom Atkins with pick No.11 in the 2018 Rookie Draft.

The 23-year-old gets his opportunity on an AFL list after starring for the Bendigo Bank Cats in the VFL in 2018.

A dual VFL Best and Fairest winner, Atkins also captained the side in 2018.

AFL-listed Geelong player Tom Atkins has further enhanced his draft chances, laying an equal-VFL record 23 tackles in a thrilling five-point victory over Collingwood at Olympic Park Oval.

Atkins, 21, also gathered 25 disposals and kicked two goals in a clear best on ground display for the Cats. His absurd stat line included 21 contested possessions and 13 clearances.

Atkins joins Carlton-listed midfielder Nick Graham, who laid 23 tackles in a VFL game last year, in holding the all-time VFL tackling record.