Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield says Tom Atkins is a great person as midfielder prepares to face court for driving offences

Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins will face court this week after being charged with driving offences. And his captain Patrick Dangerfield has responded.

Tom Atkins will face court this week. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield has described Tom Atkins as a “great person with great character” as the under-fire midfielder prepares to face court for driving offences.

This masthead reported last month that Atkins will appear in the Geelong Magistrates Court on December 5 for his alleged involvement in a three-vehicle crash in August 2023.

The 29-year-old has been charged with careless driving and failing to keep left at a dividing line.

Atkins’ vehicle allegedly veered onto the wrong side of Grubb Rd in Wallington at around 7:30pm on August 9, two days before he had 34 disposals in Geelong’s win over Collingwood at the MCG.

Those involved were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries and there is no suggestion alcohol or illicit substances played a part.

Dangerfield said he is reluctant to judge his premiership teammate and is confident the club will be able to support him.

Tom Atkins at Geelong training on Monday. Picture: Alison Wynd

“We’ve got the right people in the right places to make sure the support mechanisms are all there. And as a player there is a bit of stay in your lane,” Dangerfield said.

“I’m big on don’t judge someone until you walk in their shoes or understand the circumstances. And if you don’t, then it’s okay to steer clear and to stay in your own lane.

“And I’m pretty confident we’ve got the right people in the right places to support Tom as best we possibly can.

“He’s a great person with great character and we’ll make sure we’ll look after him.”

Atkins, a highly regarded leader, trained fully on Monday as he and his teammates returned for their first full session of the AFL pre-season.

The St Joseph’s product won his third consecutive Tom Harley Award, recognising Geelong’s best club person, in October.

The Cats said last month that the club knew of the allegations.

“The club is aware of an upcoming court appearance in relation to a traffic offence,” a club spokesperson said.

Originally published as Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield says Tom Atkins is a great person as midfielder prepares to face court for driving offences