Toast Tom Atkins - Premiership Player - 100 games

[Kobe Gryant]

You can't drop him. Parfitt and Atkins through the midfield is the defensive element we haven't had in years.

We've been all offence in there and we all know how that worked out. It's a better balance with these guys in the side and allows us to play a Danger/Joel/Guthrie as a pure offensive player, have their limited TOG.

 

[catempire]

Atkins probably legitimately needed the rest. He plays without any restraint on attack on the ball. You could see in the past few weeks he wasn’t able to go as hard.

Fresh off the break he will be fine.

 

[bulletproof]

We need both Parfitt and Atkins. They (and Blicavs) are the defensive structure that means the ball does not come out easily of the stoppage, allowing for rushed kicks that inevitably end up in Tom Stewart’s hands.

It also allows Guthrie and Danger to free wheel and punish teams when it is going our way.

Selwood’s game time might be reduced to allow him greater impact in burts.

We can afford one less defender, the only way we can be beaten is if a side gets a hold of us through the middle. Atkins is the insurance policy, as he has shown he can wrest back control numerous times this year.

 

[Mr Meow]

We need both Parfitt and Atkins. They (and Blicavs) are the defensive structure that means the ball does not come out easily of the stoppage, allowing for rushed kicks that inevitably end up in Tom Stewart’s hands.

It also allows Guthrie and Danger to free wheel and punish teams when it is going our way.

Selwood’s game time might be reduced to allow him greater impact in burts.

We can afford one less defender, the only way we can be beaten is if a side gets a hold of us through the middle. Atkins is the insurance policy, as he has shown he can wrest back control numerous times this year.

Also allows them to keep Danger and Sel fresh from having less minutes, particularly important if either are struggling through a niggle. In the past we've had to run them into the ground and they've put on valiant efforts but not kept up with opposition midfields. Now we have genuine midfield depth and Atkins is a big part of that.

 

[allrighty]

'Axe' swing an inspired move that reshaped Cats' midfield

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

www.afl.com.au

 

[standupand]

'Axe' swing an inspired move that reshaped Cats' midfield

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

www.afl.com.au

Great piece. Seems a bit funny to think of the decision to play a player in their preferred position as an inspired idea. I put Atkins together with Blicavs, C.Guthrie and a few others in the category of player who have incredible team-first mentalities. It's an intangible that often goes ignored in many workplaces. Those types often get shifted to fill spots that no-one else was willing to put their hands up for. But just because they don't automatically demand to be selected for the most prestigious positions and are willing just to plug a hole in the interests of the team, doesn't mean you should think of their value to the team in terms of that flexibility alone.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

'Axe' swing an inspired move that reshaped Cats' midfield

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

www.afl.com.au

People like this is how you win. You can't buy selflessness

 

[Spearman]

I may have said it before, but Atkins has been nearly just as influential on culture there as anybody. I think he came into the club with the right attitude and it hugely reinforced what was there already.

 

[Jackington]

I remember reading about Atkins text exchange with Wells the year before he got drafted, about no man being bigger than the club - a mindset that resulted in Scarlo being moved on, to great effect - and I fell in love with him almost immediately.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit I didn't have him in our best 22 this year, but that was because I saw him as either a small forward or a small defender, both areas we had better options for. I didn't think he would have the impact on games that he has, and he had me 100% on the Atkins bandwagon after the Richmond game - confirmed it with the Port one. Heart and soul type stuff, and the embodiment of the team-first game style Geelong have played this year.

 

[allrighty]

Great piece. Seems a bit funny to think of the decision to play a player in their preferred position as an inspired idea. I put Atkins together with Blicavs, C.Guthrie and a few others in the category of player who have incredible team-first mentalities. It's an intangible that often goes ignored in many workplaces. Those types often get shifted to fill spots that no-one else was willing to put their hands up for. But just because they don't automatically demand to be selected for the most prestigious positions and are willing just to plug a hole in the interests of the team, doesn't mean you should think of their value to the team in terms of that flexibility alone.

My last CEO job was a joy because all of my staff were selfless and cared heaps about each other. It makes such a difference, and Tom epitomises that.

 

[Generalissimo]

Captain when Selwood retires.

 

[dazbroncos]

plays like each 1/4 is his last.

Remarkable

GO Catters

 

[Warhorse]

His direct opponent was the highest ranking player on the ground. In saying that he fought hard to become relevant in the last quarter and had a impact.

 

[Seeds]

Thats twice now where he has had poor games for the first 3qts in close games and then absolutely dominated the last qtr.

must be something about the game slowing down as other players get tired.

need to find a different role for him in the first half out of the centre and the put him in during the second half unleashed.

 

[Drunkcat]

Was having a bad final not on his own there, but mad up for it with a huge last qt

 

[Kitcat]

Thats twice now where he has had poor games for the first 3qts in close games and then absolutely dominated the last qtr.

must be something about the game slowing down as other players get tired.

need to find a different role for him in the first half out of the centre and the put him in during the second half unleashed.

Yes. Atkins was superb in the last quarter when it mattered - 12 poss, 8 contested, 4 clearances, 3 tackles. Atkins' best is extremely damaging and was a large factor in getting us over the line.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

His direct opponent was the highest ranking player on the ground. In saying that he fought hard to become relevant in the last quarter and had a impact.

What?
I assume you mean JDG yet he spent half the time on other players.
Blicavs went to DeGoey at times, Selwood for most of the last quarter, Dangerfield at times and I saw Cuthrie on him aswell watching the replay.
The whole concept of "direct opponent" for a midfielder is a falsity.
Was he great all game? Nope. Was pretty average until 3/4 time, although not for desire or determination.

 

[RegHickeyStand]

What?
I assume you mean JDG yet he spent half the time on other players.
Blicavs went to DeGoey at times, Selwood for most of the last quarter, Dangerfield at times and I saw Cuthrie on him aswell watching the replay.
The whole concept of "direct opponent" for a midfielder is a falsity.
Was he great all game? Nope. Was pretty average until 3/4 time, although not for desire or determination.

Exactly. He is a defensive mid, not a tagger.

 

[David the Cat]

Last quarter...awesome.

 

[fpm84]

 

[goyoucatters]

Great example of how you run out a game. As this compilation shows, he was everywhere late. What a fantastic role model for every young player of the dedication and selflessness required to make it at the highest level.

As I've said before, he must be just about every player's favourite teammate down at the Cattery these days.

IWWT.

 

[dazbroncos]

Another great example of how letting players develop over time can lead to excellence.

Its ok to give them time.

Close, Zuthrie, Atkins, even Miers.... all low picks that have rolled up into the great additions and role players.

GO Catters

 

[Seeds]

Yes. Atkins was superb in the last quarter when it mattered - 12 poss, 8 contested, 4 clearances, 3 tackles. Atkins' best is extremely damaging and was a large factor in getting us over the line.

yes agree. but his inability to get near it in the first 3 qtrs despite being in the coalface the whole time was also a factor as to why the pies jumped us and lead for much of the match. Have to look at the whole game not just the part he plays well.

 

[catempire]

Thats twice now where he has had poor games for the first 3qts in close games and then absolutely dominated the last qtr.

must be something about the game slowing down as other players get tired.

need to find a different role for him in the first half out of the centre and the put him in during the second half unleashed.

There is something in this. In the highlights clip of the last quarter look how he is able to repeatedly break tackles and get a handball away. He kept getting caught earlier on in the game. The tackles get harder to stick with fatigue setting in.

That said, can’t take anything away from that last quarter. Match-winning stuff.

 

[Drunkcat]

Was all planned save gas in the tank for the last qt