How turning down schoolies helped set Tom Atkins on a path to the AFL grand final

It’s a tough call for any teenager and Tom Atkins was asked to join footy training or go to schoolies nearly a decade ago. He has come so far since.

It was a decision that would make most teenagers have to think long and hard.

A school-leaver at Geelong College in late 2013, Tom Atkins was all set to head to Byron Bay with his girlfriend and mates for a once-in-a-lifetime event: schoolies.

Tom Atkins playing for Joeys in 2015. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Another offer had just come through for the St Joseph’s footballer and son of local great Mick – to train with the Geelong VFL squad.

The opportunity came from former Cats development coach and AFLW head coach Paul Hood, who saw Atkins watching on at lunchtime one day while the VFL squad went through their paces.

The question put to Atkins was tough, schoolies or footy?

“I had a relationship with (Hood) earlier and he asked if I wanted to come down for a couple of sessions,” Atkins said.

“I remember I had to make the decision not to go on schoolies because the first session of VFL was right in the middle of that week and I am pretty glad I made that decision.

“I was getting updated (on schoolies) every night from my girlfriend.”

Tom Atkins kicks long in Joeys colours in an under-18 game.

Atkins was on the Geelong VFL development list in 2014 and the main list in 2015.

He played a handful of games but still spent most of those seasons at St Joseph’s.

Just like he is now and has always been, Atkins was a ferocious ball-hunter in the GFL and had just turned 20 when he played in a premiership with Joeys.

Paul Carson kicked two goals that day as St Joseph’s ran over Newtown & Chilwell, and Atkins would never been seen at that level again.

“I was lucky enough in 2015 to play in a premiership with Tom Atkins at St Joeys, I am certain that was his last game of GFL footy and fast forward 5-6 years and he is an AFL star,” Carson said.

“He has worked his absolute butt off and deserves everything that comes his way.”

Tom Atkins in an early VFL game in 2014. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Atkins would win a couple of best-and-fairests in the VFL before graduating to the Cats’ AFL list.

He will likely be on of the first men into the action on Saturday as he played in the midfield in an AFL grand final against Sydney.

St Joseph's under-12 photo. Tom Atkins is in back row poking his tongue out, Tom McCartin is in front with vertical stripes, Paddy McCartin sixth from the right

Carson said from his teenage years to now, he always knew what Atkins would provide.

“You just know that every time he runs out he is giving 100 per cent effort,” Carson said.

“He grits his teeth and that is him, he has always been like that.

“Everyone wants a Tom Atkins on their team.”

It can’t be a coincidence that since Atkins was thrust into the Geelong onball brigade in the middle of the season, the Cats haven’t lost a game.

Tom Atkins has enjoyed his best season this year. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Thrown in the middle to provide some accountability after Geelong fell to St Kilda in round 9, he has been a factor in a 15-game winning streak that has led to the grand final.

Typically modest, the hard-nut refused to take any credit.

“I was never and I am still not a star at all, I was always a role playing, fill a gap type player,” he said.

“(The VFL) was never an opportunity to play AFL, I don’t think at any point I thought ‘if I don’t get in the AFL here it will be the end of the world’.

“I loved my time in the VFL and made some really close mates. We were a successful team for a while there.”

Originally published as How turning down schoolies helped set Tom Atkins on a path to the AFL grand final