Made official on Monday, the 18-year-old earned his way onto the VFL list after spending the summer undergoing the Tigers’ rigorous pre-season training program.
Injury did initially curtail his progress, as a knee issue had him sidelined for eight weeks in November and December.
But an eye-catching block of training post-Christmas was enough for the hierarchy at Tigerland to give the young gun an opportunity after a sparkling junior career at Rumbalara and the Murray Bushrangers.
“It was such an amazing feeling when I found out (about the contract), I’ve worked so hard to get into this position, so to finally be there now I am over the moon,” Atkinson said of his reaction to getting the contract.
“I was invited down to train with the club in October and I quickly found that VFL is another level up from the Bushrangers with the intensity and standard.
“After coming out of the blocks pretty well I got injured in the first drill of the second session and missed a fair amount of time which put me back a bit.
“But I’ve come back and really worked hard to impress the coaches, so to get that reward it’s a very satisfying feeling.”
While this is Atkinson’s first official contract with Richmond, the Rumba talent has had a long affiliation with the club, having been part of its Next Generation Academy and the Korin Gamadji Institute from the age of 15.
He said being able to utilise the AFL standard facilities at Punt Road had been wonderful for his development as a footballer.
“It’s amazing, you walk through the door and you’ve got all the same people that are around the AFL program there helping you,” he said.
“Everything about it is just elite and I have really benefited from being a part of it.”
Atkinson joins fellow Goulburn Valley young guns Billy Cooper (Tatura), Max Clohesy (Shepparton Swans), Nathan Oakes (Nathalia) and Angus Hicks (Shepparton United) on the Tigers’ VFL list.
Having so many familiar faces around has made the start to his VFL journey all the more enjoyable.
“I’ve loved having those guys around,” he said.
“You walk in the door and see a familiar face it really helps you settle in and get going, and I think we have all benefited from it.”
Set to be his first foray into VFL football, Atkinson enters the season with a good grounding having averaged 10.4 disposals, 2.6 marks and 1.7 tackles a game at Coates Talent League level last year and playing a host of senior Murray Football League games at Rumbalara.
Now making the full-time move to Melbourne, which means he did not register Rumbalara as his home club for the 2023 season, he said he hoped he could continue on that same trajectory and become a consistent contributor at VFL level.
“The move was a bit difficult at the start, not knowing anybody or any of that, but once the footy and work has picked up it has gotten a lot easier,” he said.
“I’m very keen to see how I go at the higher level, the confidence I’ve got in my own ability has really grown over the summer, so now I’ve got this chance to prove myself I don’t want to waste it.
“So the next goal for me now is to get a game and then from there play a consistent role for the team.”
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