Rival clubs are reportedly keeping close tabs on Geelong midfielder Tom Atkins after the out-of-contract midfielder has had a strong start to the 2025 season.
Atkins has averaged an astonishing 10.6 tackles per game in Geelong's 3-2 start to the year, and while his five tackles against Adelaide was the first time he's failed to reach double figures in that metric, the underrated weapon still received 10 coaches' votes for impact in the midfield, recording nine clearances against the Crows last Thursday night.
Still yet to re-sign beyond the end of this season, the 29-year-old is on the radar of rival clubs as he continues to impress on the field in blue and white hoops, per AFL.com.au's Callum Twomey.
Speaking on Gettable, Twomey said interest in the Geelong midfielder is beginning to gain traction.
"There's an under-the-radar Cat who is garnering interest around the competition - his name is Tom Atkins," Twomey said.
"He's doing some fantastic things for the Cats' midfield. He got 10 coaches' votes last week in what was probably the game of the season against the Crows. He's also out of contract, and other clubs are keeping close tabs on this one.
"Every gun midfield team needs a glue guy, needs their selfless player who lets the big dogs do their thing. James Rowbottom's doing it at Sydney. Willem Drew does it at Port Adelaide.
competes for the ball during the round 03 AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Geelong Cats at Heritage Bank Stadium, on April 02, 2023, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
"Tom Atkins is doing it at Geelong and helping Bailey Smith and Max Holmes do their thing in the midfield and also helping Patrick Dangerfield shift forward, because he's been terrific.
"Talks are ongoing, but Geelong certainly would want to lock him away soon as other clubs circle."
Geelong have become a powerhouse at luring rival players to the Cattery in recent years, and also have strong retention of their key members. In the latest off-season, Geelong landed Bailey Smith and Jack Martin while no players sought an exit from the club, in another successful period of list-building for the perennial contenders.
