Rory_Atkins
Rory Atkins
Australian rules footballer
Rory Atkins (born 12 July 1994) is a professional Australian rules football player who plays for the Gold Coast Suns in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Atkins played seven matches for SANFL club Sturt in 2013, and twelve matches for Sturt's reserves team.[1] The following season, Adelaide's reserves team was introduced into the SANFL and Atkins played in their first ever game, kicking a classy goal in the second quarter of a 47-point loss to North Adelaide.[2] Atkins performed impressively throughout the season, averaging 19 disposals and six marks per match, twice being named as an emergency for the Crows' senior AFL side, and finishing 6th in the reserves team's Club Champion award.[3]
In February 2015, Atkins injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, resulting in him being sidelined for three months.[4] He made a successful return to the SANFL with a career-best 32 disposals and 10 clearances in a 20-point loss to Central District.[5] After continuing to show good form, Atkins was selected in the AFL team's 25-man squad for the match against Geelong,[6] but the match was cancelled due to the death of coach Phil Walsh.[7] After returning to the reserves team the next week,[8] Atkins finally made his debut against Port Adelaide the week after.[9] He went on to play eight AFL games in the latter part of the season, making an impact with his pace and left-foot kicking.[10]
Atkins played his 100th AFL game in round 3, 2020, against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, but the milestone was not to be remembered as the Crows lost the match by 53 points.[11] In October 2020, Atkins exercised his rights as a free agent and joined Gold Coast on a four-year deal.[12]
