Career
After only three matches in 1987 and none in 1988, Atkins became a key player at Footscray in 1989, playing 21 matches before his best season in 1990, when Atkins topped the competition in handballs. Atkins played most of his football as a centreman, complementing a strong midfield that also comprised the Brownlow Medallists Scott Wynd and Tony Liberatore. This successful combination was one of the reasons that Footscray made it to the preliminary final in 1992 after having a season that took most experts by surprise (remembering that the club almost disappeared at the end of the 1989 season).
His best seasons were in 1991 and 1992.
When Alan Joyce took over from Terry Wheeler at the end of round two in 1994, it soon became clear that Atkins was not an automatic selection for a midfield role, and he was traded to Fitzroy at the end of that season. Holmesby and Main describe Atkins as "one of the side"s best in its last two seasons" (talking about Fitzroy), and "at his peak.. he was one of the most productive midfielders in the competition".
Another attribute he is remembered for is the ability to kick goals from one quick step at the 50-metre mark. His return of 76 goals in 127 games with the Bulldogs is a very good one for a centreman.
He was also the last person to kick a goal for Fitzroy in the American Federation of Labor-Congress. Atkins played a role as a special comments man during the American Broadcasting Company"s Victorian Football League coverage in the late 2000s.
After retiring as a player, Atkins coached Werribee in the Victorian Football League between 2005 and 2010. In 2013 he will be an assistant coach for Street Bernards Old Collegians in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
