Atkins on facing Carlton

Yeah they are on fire, aren't they?

They have played well pretty much since we played them last, so it will be a massive challenge.

We have to beat these teams if we want to win the flag, so we are up for it and we are excited. 

Atkins on what the Cats learned from their last meeting with the Blues

We definitely reflect on it, there is a lot of learnings you can take from games that you have played during the year.

I guess we do have the benefit of hopefully making a few changed from that game, and we will see how we go. 

Atkins on Carlton's midfield

I actually haven't watched the game, but I saw Jagga Smith had a pretty good game stats wise.

He is awesome, I have played against him twice now and he is super light on his feet, hard to track down for old blokes like me.

As with every team, you are going to come up against some talent. Even with the lower teams on the ladder, they still have got really good talent in their team, especially in the midfield.

We are up for it, we knew going into the Finals series that no game was going to be easy.

Whoever we got was going to be a challenge, so we will prepare accordingly and we are looking forward to it. 

Atkins on whether there is a buzz around the group

I don't think I have felt a buzz, it is kind of hard to judge a buzz.

I guess again, it is an individual thing how much you are thinking about it.

I just want to win a flag this year, that is all that has really entered my mind.

Maybe there are guys that are thinking that it would be awesome, but it is not for me.

I just want to win this weekend. 

Atkins on the success of the VFL Cats

It is crucial to an AFL Finals campaign as well, to have your whole squad still competing and with a chance.

In some ways, they have got more of a chance than us. They have been performing so well this year, they have been clearly the best team.

We love what they bring at training, a couple of sessions this year where they have had the better of us as a midfield group anyway.

It has been awesome for our development, but I am also very happy for them and the opportunity they have got ahead of them.

It was good to come watch them on the weekend, and hopefully going forward we will be able to get to their games.