AFL 2024: Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins says on-ball brigade has gained confidence from second half after another slow start

A key area of the game was behind Geelong’s poor start against Richmond according to Tom Atkins. But he believes the Cats —and their midfield — are on the up.

DARWIN, AUSTRALIA - MAY 16: Tom Atkins of the Cats in action during the 2024 AFL Round 10 match between The Gold Coast SUNS and The Geelong Cats at TIO Stadium on May 16, 2024 in Darwin, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins believes the Cats’ slow start against Richmond was down to a lack of effort, but said their underperforming on-ball brigade is on the up after a strong finish to the game.

The GMHBA Stadium was left stunned as the Cats trailed the lowly Tigers by 29 points nearing halftime before two quick goals to exciting youngster Ollie Dempsey.

It was the fifth straight match Geelong has been down at the main break, with the Cats able to turn the tables against the Tigers – as they did against Port Adelaide and GWS.

Geelong recorded an elite 191 pressure rating in the second half – compared to 185 in the first half – and also dominated in the engine room, winning 25 more contested possessions and 13 more clearances in the second half.

It is an area they have struggled with previously, being the second easiest side to score against from stoppages in the first 11 rounds and ranking 15th for contested possession and clearance differential.

Atkins, who had been moved into defence in previous weeks, played as a full-time midfielder and showed the form that saw him finish second in last year’s Carji Greeves Medal, racking up 27 disposals, 15 contested possessions, 11 tackles and 10 clearances.

Tom Atkins laid 11 tackles for the match. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Jack Bowes was also pivotal in his best game as a Cat with 29 disposals, 14 contested possessions, nine clearances and eight tackles, with Atkins also praising his work without the ball.

Atkins, 28, said the Cats midfield group and their team at large will take confidence out of their strong finish to their first win since round seven.

He was unsure whether Patrick Dangerfield would return this weekend but said he was impressing on the track.

“It’s hard to put your finger on it. I think Richmond probably just out pressured us on the weekend. And that can be disappointing at times because that’s an effort thing,” Atkins said.

“That’s sort of the way I saw it. But I think in those games where we’ve had poor starts, once we get going, teams struggle to go with us.

“So I think that’s the most exciting thing is, once we get going, we’re squeezing, our pressure’s up, we’re winning the ball at the source, giving our forwards good looks. It’s hard to go with us.

“I felt especially as a midfield group as well we really lifted in that second half. We probably haven’t had the best month as a line, so it was enjoyable just to see guys get some reward for the work that we’ve been putting in.

“Bowesy’s just so clean, composed, and he’s, been really good for us in the midfield. He’s a really cognisant player and he really helps our structures and it has been great to see him play well.”

Jack Bowes had a big say on the contest. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Atkins believes the simplification of player roles has been a focus after a disappointing month where they lost four-straight games for the first time under coach Chris Scott.

He hopes they can take their midfield momentum into their enormous challenge against Sydney at the SCG on Sunday.

“We haven’t been far off to be honest. We’ve spoken a lot about connection and communication, just trying to play more as a team and we’ve had a few floating roles within the team over the last month. But the last two weeks we’ve really honed in on giving players specific roles and just letting them concentrate on executing that,” Atkins said.

“Maybe it clicked for us or hopefully it clicked for us in the second half and we’re sort of off to the races now but, we’ve got another tough challenge on Sunday.

“I think we bat very deeply (in the midfield) as well. So it’ll be a good arm wrestle I reckon and we are building a bit of momentum. In that second half I feel like we really clicked as a line, so looking forward to getting challenged again.”

Atkins also lauded Holmes’ move into the midfield in the past three weeks, where the speedster has rated elite for disposals, metres gained, ground ball gets and clearances.

“Max has really stepped up in Patty’s absence. We needed someone to replace that ball winning ability that Paddy has, and I think he’s done that. It’s just great to see him get more and more confident in his speed,” Atkins said.

“I don’t think there’s a situation, where he gets the ball, where he doesn’t think, ‘I can’t burn the opposition player’. He knows that no one can go with him. I love seeing that from him.”

Originally published as AFL 2024: Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins says on-ball brigade has gained confidence from second half after another slow start