An AFL premiership protection might be introduced crashing down by all method of obstacles, however flag-winning midfielder Tom Atkins cannot see perspective being one in all them for Geelong.
9 days out from a round-one showdown with Collingwood, Atkins was fast to dismiss any options the Cats’ starvation might have waned over a summer season spent within the premiership glow.
“It is one thing I need to expertise once more and I do know that feeling extends to the opposite gamers as properly,” Atkins stated.
“Then you definately’ve acquired guys who missed out and need to style that.
“We perceive it is going to be a large problem.
“Groups are all the time bettering however we’re simply trying ahead to see how our recreation stacks up (in opposition to Collingwood).”
Atkins stated sharing success with the likes of Max Holmes, Esava Ratugolea and Sam Menegola – who all missed out on the grand-final thumping of Sydney final 12 months – is a driving issue.
Holmes was the hard-luck story of grand remaining week as he fought to beat a hamstring harm sustained throughout the preliminary remaining.
“You need them to expertise it as properly,” Atkins stated.
“That is the goal each season, you need to go on the market and play in addition to you’ll be able to and we had been lucky final 12 months, however it resets this 12 months.”
Atkins has been impressed by low season acquisitions Tanner Bruhn, Jack Bowes and Ollie Henry, who’ve helped offset the lack of retired premiership captain Joel Selwood.
However the 355-game membership legend’s absence from the taking part in group will likely be felt for a while but.
“You discover for the primary two weeks and suppose it’s kind of unusual not having him round to soundboard and be taught off, however you simply get on with it,” Atkins stated.
“It simply turns into the norm not having him right here… it is form of what occurs in footy.
“You lose 5 – 6 of your mates and also you get one other 5 – 6.
“You simply get on with it an adaptation, however we do miss the person.”
Selwood has returned to Geelong in an off-field position as a membership ambassador however will not be concerned with the taking part in group.
The 34-year-old, who was the longest-standing captain in AFL/VFL historical past, can be concerned with NRL energy membership Melbourne Storm as a management coach.
