Tom Atkins: Court date over alleged wrong-way smash pushed back for Cats star

Cats premiership player Tom Atkins will wait until next month to learn his fate over an alleged wrong-way crash after his court date was pushed back for a second time.

Tom Atkins will appear in court next month after his case was pushed back again. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Cats premiership player Tom Atkins will wait until next month to learn his fate over an alleged wrong-way crash after his court date was pushed back for a second time.

Tom Atkins, 29, was set to appear in court on Thursday after a hearing in November was administratively adjourned to that date.

But the matter was again administratively adjourned to a date in the new year before court opening this morning.

Atkins was charged with two driving offences including careless driving and failing to keep left of a dividing line, following a three-vehicle collision in Wallington last year.

It is alleged his vehicle veered onto the wrong side of Grubb Rd about 7.30pm on August 9 last year.

There is no suggestion that alcohol or illicit substances was involved.

Multiple emergency services responded to the incident and four people were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The Geelong Advertiser previously reported that the incident had taken a serious mental toll on some of the alleged victims.

Tom Atkins at the Geelong Cats first full pre season training session. Picture: Alison Wynd

It comes as Atkins joined his teammates at training this week as the Cats’ pre-season gathers steam.

On Tuesday, Geelong captain Patrick Dangerfield said the club would support Atkins.

“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 will face court on January 15.

Originally published as Tom Atkins: Court date over alleged wrong-way smash pushed back for Cats star