Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins says team defence will be key to neutralising Adelaide’s offensive weapons

As Geelong prepares to tackle one of the AFL’s most dangerous forward lines with an undermanned defence, Tom Atkins says it’s clear how to limit their influence.

Geelong’s Tom Atkins, grappling with Rowan Marshall, has recorded match-high tackle counts in three games already this year. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Geelong will rely on its team defence to quell Adelaide’s much-vaunted, three-pronged forward line with the Cats set to miss three premiership defensive pieces on Thursday night, the league’s number one tackling machine Tom Atkins says.

The Cats returned to the winner’s list after a grinding 39-point victory against Melbourne on Friday night, but it came at a cost with Jack Henry pulling a hamstring in the second term and likely to miss “weeks” according to coach Chris Scott.

If ruled out, he would join Jed Bews (finger) and Jake Kolodjashnij (groin) on the sidelines although veteran Mark Blicavs is expected to return after a bout of gastro which saw him withdrawn on game day.

Atkins said the Crows were “flying at the moment” – predicted by some to be the big improvers in 2025 – but they wouldn’t rely on just one or two key defenders to get the job done.

Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe booted three goals against Geelong in Round 21 last season. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

The Cats got a glimpse of what Adelaide’s forward line was capable of in Round 21 last year when Riley Thilthorpe threatened to blow the game apart at Kardinia Park.

Thilthorpe would take four marks inside 50 to boot three goals in a thriller decided by just five points — young defender Lawson Humphries kicking the match-sealing major in one of the most exciting finishes to a game at Kardinia Park in 2024.

Meanwhile, the Crows boast Thilthorpe, Darcy Fogarty and Taylor Walker in the league’s top 10 for total goals after five rounds, kicking 12 between them against the Suns.

Meanwhile Jeremy Cameron (19th) and Tyson Stengle (23rd) have yet to catch fire in 2025 and Ollie Henry and Shannon Neale largely nullified.

Brad Close has booted just three but was one of Geelong’s best in the first half against Melbourne.

“It looks like we’ll get Mark Blicavs back, so that’ll help with our defence,” Atkins said.

“Obviously we’ll lose Jack (Henry) but as always, we don’t try to rely on one or two people, it’s a team effort and I think often team defence often helps out those match ups in the forward line.

“So if we can stop the ball further up the ground, it won’t put as much pressure on our tall backs to have an impact.”

Thilthorpe threatened to bust the game open for the Crows in Round 21 last year. Picture: Martin Keep/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Despite multiple injuries to its defensive department, the Cats still boast a number of backmen in good nick, with Albury product Connor O’Sullivan continuing to emerge at the level with 10 contested possessions and eight intercept possessions against the Demons.

Atkins said some canny selections at the 2023 national draft had helped replenish the list with O’Sullivan (pick 11), Shaun Mannagh (38) on return on Friday night and Lawson Humphries (63) all having an impact.

The Cats took 169 marks to deny the Demons the ball – the 12th most since 1999 – especially across half back, as Zach Guthrie racked up 17 marks and 24 uncontested possessions.

Meanwhile, Atkins downplayed his tackling numbers so far this year, averaging 12 a game and enjoying match-high efforts against Fremantle, Brisbane and Melbourne on Friday night.

Atkins, who also had a team-high 11 against St Kilda, told reporters on Monday it wasn’t a focus for him.

“I’ve got a million other things I’m trying to focus on versus tackling, tackling just happens,” Atkins said, who leads the league for tackles by 14.

“That’s what’s funny about tackling, anybody can do it, it’s not that impressive to me to be honest.

“You could go out with the mindset of: ‘I’m going to have 20 tackles this game’ and you could probably do it.

Tom Atkins tackles Tom McDonald on Friday night. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

“It’s more achievable than, ‘I’m going to have 20 clearances’.

“I don’t give it too much weight, I’m just trying to help the team and play footy.

“I’m a defensive midfielder, so those things are going to happen.”

Atkins said three-goal star on Friday night Patrick Dangerfield would be a tough match up no matter where he plays this year.

Coming into Round 4, Dangerfield had evenly split his time between the midfield and the forward line.

“He was one of our centre bounce players on the weekend,” he said.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in the league who would feel comfortable playing on ‘Paddy’, it’s probably about how we can best use him,

“And on the weekend was a great (example) of that, impacting the scoreboard but also his power around the contest, at times helped us drive the ball forward.”

Originally published as Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins says team defence will be key to neutralising Adelaide’s offensive weapons