Simon Atkins
Encyclopedia
Simon Atkins was an Australian rules football
player who played with Footscray
from 1987 to 1994, before joining Fitzroy in its last two seasons as a club in its own right (it merged with the Brisbane Bears
in 1997). Atkins and his twin brother Paul
were recruited from Wynyard Football Club
in Tasmania
. Atkins played most of his football as a centreman, complementing a strong midfield that also comprised the Brownlow Medal
lists Scott Wynd
and Tony Liberatore
. This successful combination was one of the reasons that Footscray made it to the preliminary final in 1992 after having a season that took most experts by surprise (remembering that the club almost disappeared at the end of the 1989 season).
Atkins is best remembered as a consistent winner of the ball who had a great capacity to feed the ball out to team mates from tight situations with "quick hands". His best seasons were in 1991 and 1992. When Alan Joyce
took over from Terry Wheeler
at the end of round two in 1994, it soon became clear that Atkins was not an automatic selection for a midfield role, and he was traded to Fitzroy at the end of that season. Holmesby and Main describe Atkins as "one of the side's best in its last two seasons" (talking about Fitzroy), and "at his peak ... he was one of the most productive midfielders in the competition". Another attribute he is remembered for is the ability to kick goals from one quick step at the 50 metre mark. His return of 76 goals in 127 games with the Bulldogs is a very good one for a centreman. He was also the last person to kick a goal for Fitzroy.
Atkins played a role as a special comments man during the ABC
's Victorian Football League
coverage in the late 2000s.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player who played with Footscray
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
from 1987 to 1994, before joining Fitzroy in its last two seasons as a club in its own right (it merged with the Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
in 1997). Atkins and his twin brother Paul
Paul Atkins (Australian rules footballer)
Paul Atkins is a former Australian rules footballer who played two games for the Sydney Swans in the 1992 AFL season. He had a similar build to his twin brother Simon Atkins who was a successful player at Footscray, the club with which Paul had originally tried out...
were recruited from Wynyard Football Club
Wynyard Football Club
The Wynyard Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Wynyard, Tasmania.-Club history:The Wynyard Football Club was believed to be formed in 1885 as Table Cape and adopted the name of Wynyard in 1890....
in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. Atkins played most of his football as a centreman, complementing a strong midfield that also comprised the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
lists Scott Wynd
Scott Wynd
Scott Wynd is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League, playing with Footscray.-Footscary/Western Bulldogs :...
and Tony Liberatore
Tony Liberatore
Anthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League ....
. This successful combination was one of the reasons that Footscray made it to the preliminary final in 1992 after having a season that took most experts by surprise (remembering that the club almost disappeared at the end of the 1989 season).
Atkins is best remembered as a consistent winner of the ball who had a great capacity to feed the ball out to team mates from tight situations with "quick hands". His best seasons were in 1991 and 1992. When Alan Joyce
Alan Joyce
Alan Joyce is a former Australian rules footballer who after playing 49 games for Hawthorn became a premiership winning coach for the club. Originally from Glen Iris, Joyce played in the ruck for Hawthorn and gained life membership in 1996.In 1988 when incumbent coach Allan Jeans became ill due to...
took over from Terry Wheeler
Terry Wheeler
Terry Wheeler is a former Australian rules footballer who played for and coached Footscray in the Australian Football League....
at the end of round two in 1994, it soon became clear that Atkins was not an automatic selection for a midfield role, and he was traded to Fitzroy at the end of that season. Holmesby and Main describe Atkins as "one of the side's best in its last two seasons" (talking about Fitzroy), and "at his peak ... he was one of the most productive midfielders in the competition". Another attribute he is remembered for is the ability to kick goals from one quick step at the 50 metre mark. His return of 76 goals in 127 games with the Bulldogs is a very good one for a centreman. He was also the last person to kick a goal for Fitzroy.
Atkins played a role as a special comments man during the ABC
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
's Victorian Football League
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
coverage in the late 2000s.