Atkins on his role

I just love playing footy, and I love trying to do my role for the team.

Whether that is playing on Jai [Newcombe] or being more of an attacking, contested option, whatever I am told to do I want to try and do that as good as I can.

I think that is consistent across the group as well.

If we are able to all play our roles, then that will go a long way to us winning. 

Atkins on the 2024 Preliminary Final

I don't really look back at all to be honest.

It is good experience for those young guys, I think we had a couple who were playing in their first Finals series.

We are a completely different team now, even some of the ways that we play and what we go after are different. Very forward looking mentality. 

Atkins on the challenge against Hawthorn's midfield

They have had a great couple of weeks obviously.

GWS are a really strong midfield as well, Adelaide have got some great players in there too.

It is an exciting challenge for us, we really feel like we have got good understanding now of what makes us a good midfield and how we can implement that against any team.

Really looking forward to coming up against them. 

Atkins on the rivalry

Maybe for some people, certainly for supporters but for us and myself, I am just so focused on trying to win and trying to do my job.

Nothing else really enters my mind, it is probably consistent across the playing group I reckon.

It doesn't matter who we play, we need to be at our best and the goal is to get to the Grand Final. It is exciting for supporters, I can understand that. 

Atkins on the Cats midfield perspective

Obviously it is one of the only areas where you are in isolation, it is pretty much four one-on-ones.

It is a very important part of the game, we have taken a great attitude to this year with 'Kingy,' one thing he is great at is detail and the research he does.

We have been able to implement plans to effect this week, hopefully we can do that again this week.