Port Adelaide recruit Rory Atkins has opened up on his move to the Power, with the defender keen to "prove people wrong" and have an impact at his new club.
Atkins was part of a three-club trade in October that featured his former side Gold Coast and Collingwood, with the 30-year-old landing back in South Australia four years after leaving the Crows for the Suns.
The Victorian had begun to weigh up his future late into the season despite having a contract, with Atkins playing just three games at senior level in 2024 despite strong VFL form.
The rebounding defender ended up finishing second in the J.J. Liston Trophy voting, trailing Werribee champion Dom Brew by nine votes on the final leaderboard.
Interest from the Power arose late into the exchange window, with Atkins jumping at the chance to join Port Adelaide and hopefully leave his mark at Alberton.
"Late in the trade period (a decision was made). I went away while the trade period was on, got a call from my manager saying, 'What are your thoughts on going to play at Port'?" Atkins said on Monday.
"The Gold Coast did a great job in getting me here, because that's what I wanted to do. I still think I got a lot of great footy to play at the level. So when this opportunity arose, and Port were interested, I jumped at it with both hands.
"I'm ready to get after it with this exciting group. I think I've still got a lot of good footy to play at the level. If everything goes the way I want it to, I can hopefully slip in and play some good footy with the boys here and do whatever I can to be a part of this group going where they want to go."
Atkins arrives at the Power with one year left on his contract, giving him a point to prove in 2025.
An added layer to any motivation is the external commentary surrounding his switch to the Power, with suggestions the veteran may have been a lower bargaining chip in the deal that saw Jack Lukosius also move from the Suns to the Power while Dan Houston found a new home with Collingwood.
The new Power backman sees scrutiny of his inclusion in the trade as a positive, hoping he can use any critical feedback as a driving force to continue his career.
"It's a privilege to have people actually care about something that I'm involved in," he said.ย
"When you actually think about it, people care that much about something that I'm a part of. So, I see that as a privilege. It's what we sign up for.
"I'm still getting to play footy at the age of 30 now and hopefully for a fair few more years, and I hope to contribute to this group, because I still think I've got a lot of good footy to play.
"So comments like that are water off a duck's back, because all that I can do now is prove people wrong, because the expectations are low (externally) it seems."
Atkins has begun to impress in his short time with Port Adelaide, being one of the top finishers in Monday's time trial.
The defender was the first to cross the line among listed players, with Supplemental Selection Period prospect Jack Watkins finishing ahead of Atkins.
Watkins, who has linked up with the Power after a stellar two seasons as captain of North Melbourne's VFL side, is "flying" in his train-on stint with Port Adelaide, according to Atkins.
"Jack Watkins actually won the time trial; he's training on with us. He's flying, so he's putting his best foot forward to get a list spot here. He actually won it, but I ran well," Atkins said of his time trial effort.
"I've got one year to make this my own and go from there. So I'm not of the picture that it's here to be one and done. I'm here for here for a few and to get this thing rolling in the right direction, because I feel like I've still got a lot of footy to play.
"I just wanted to come in and set the right impression."
Port Adelaide's preparations for 2025 get underway with a match simulation session against Adelaide at Mt Barker in February before a Community Series clash against St Kilda in early March.
The Power's proper campaign will commence with a clash against Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday, March 15.
