Tom Atkins could be latest in line of successful Geelong mature-age recruits

In 2018 Tim Kelly joined the club of mature-age Geelong recruits who became SuperCoach stars, starting with James Podsiadly in 2009. And master recruiter Stephen Wells may have done it again.

Tom Atkins of the Cats. Picture: Mark Dadswell

WHAT’S that saying about teaching an old Cat new tricks?

OK, that might not quite be it but at AFL level the Cats have developed a habit of unearthing mature-age gems that become fantastic SuperCoach selections.

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The region’s under-18 side has long been known as a “footy factory”, but the senior team has become an equally effective recycling plant.

Tim Kelly rolled off the production line last season and became an instant star at AFL level — and in our SuperCoach teams.

Now master recruiter Stephen Wells may have done it again, with tackling machine Tom Atkins close to securing a Round 1 debut after scoring 69 and 80 SuperCoach points in the Cats’ two JLT Series matches.

Atkins is a 23-year-old Geelong local who captained the Cats’ VFL side last season and was snapped up in last year’s rookie draft.

He once laid 23 tackles in a VFL match and followed up that pressure with seven tackles in the Cats’ opening JLT game. While he laid only two against Essendon on Thursday night, he also picked up 17 disposals (12 contested) and booted a goal.

Tom Atkins in action for Geelong’s VFL side. Picture: Mark Dadswell

His forward pressure is exactly what Geelong needs, allowing the likes of Gary Ablett to concentrate on kicking goals. If he plays in Round 1, expect him to make an impact straight away.

But that should hardly come as a surprise. Here’s a recap of the Cats’ recycled SuperCoach guns.

JAMES PODSIADLY

Drafted: 2009 rookie draft, age 28

Opening SuperCoach price: $83,400

First-year SuperCoach average: 92

One of the all-time great SuperCoach buys, kick-starting his career with a 102 on debut and jumping in value more than $300,000 in seven weeks. He topped out at $492,900 in Round 13 — a return of $409,500 on a pre-Round 1 investment. Unfortunately, starting prices have gone up a bit since then!

HARRY TAYLOR

Drafted: 2007 national draft, age 21

Opening SuperCoach price: $94,200

First-year SuperCoach average: 81

Taylor played three seasons in the WAFL before being plucked by the Cats at pick 17 in the 2007 draft. He made his debut in Round 2, scoring 90 points against Essendon, and jumped $80k at his first price movement. He gained a total of $297k over the course of the season and was a handy player to have in the SuperCoach grand final that year, scoring 131 in the final home-and-away round.

TOM RUGGLES

Drafted: 2016 rookie draft, age 24

Opening SuperCoach price: $102,400

First-year SuperCoach average: 66

Ruggles broke into the Cats’ line-up in Round 3, 2016 and was a solid slow-burn rookie for the rest of year, missing just three games and jumping $235k in value.

James Podsiadly is a SuperCoach favourite.

Sam Menegola at Geelong training. Picture: Alison Wynd

SAM MENEGOLA

Drafted: 2015 rookie draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $117,300

First-year SuperCoach average: 99

Menegola spent time on the Hawthorn and Fremantle lists before finally getting a chance at the Cats. Even there it took a while for him to get a look-in, making his debut in Round 18, 2016. He made an instant impact, scoring above 90 in all but one of his six games that season to jump $213k in value in three weeks. Has averaged 99, 100 and 100 in his three years in the game so you know what you’re going to get. Priced at $543,100 this season.

TOM STEWART

Drafted: 2016 national draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $117,300

First-year SuperCoach average: 67

The Cats clearly recruited Stewart from their own VFL team with a role in mind and played him from Round 1. His best scores came in the final two rounds (101, 102) by which time most SuperCoach owners had moved him on, but they weren’t complaining about a $210k profit.

Tim Kelly was an instant star at AFL level. Picture: Alison Wynd

Tom Atkins is pushing for a Round 1 debut. Picture: Stephen Harman

TIM KELLY

Drafted: 2017 national draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $117,300

First-year SuperCoach average: 93

The biggest SuperCoach steal of last season, Kelly transitioned seamlessly from the WAFL to the AFL. He bolted out of the blocks with scores of 118 and 117 in the first two rounds, leading to a massive first price rise of $114,400 in Round 3. He went on to play 22 games and post nine SuperCoach tons, including a 155 in Round 22. He shows no signs of slowing down in season two, scoring 110 against the Bombers last night. You can snap him up as a mid-forward for $505,800.

TOM ATKINS

Drafted: 2018 rookie draft, age 23

Opening SuperCoach price: $112,900

First-year SuperCoach average: ?

Atkins said after his first JLT outing he didn’t know if he would line up against Collingwood in Round 1: “It is still too hard to say at this stage (whether I will play). Our forward line is really competitive with the new names that have been brought in and the existing players. So I hope I’ve put my name up, but I’m not too sure.” SuperCoach players everywhere are hoping his magnet isn’t budging from Chris Scott’s whiteboard.