First-year rookie Jarrod Atkinson has caused his teammates, coaches and the wider football community to stand up and take notice this year after displaying some impressive form in the NAB Cup competition over the past three weeks.
This week, Atkinson continued to show he is out to make the most of his opportunity at Essendon, putting in a sensational performance to secure the club sprint record over 20m with a time of 2.73 seconds. He broke the previous record of 2.75 seconds that had been held jointly held by Alwyn Davey, Courtenay Dempsey and Leroy Jetta. The man himself was surprised with the result.
“I am over the moon to hold a record here, especially in my first year,” Atkinson said. “I have only been here for two or three months and to break a record in that time is a real surprise for me.
“When I had finished all of the boys started clapping and cheering and everyone was just as excited as me that I actually broke the record.
“I don’t think anyone really thought that I had that speed aspect of my game and I had to actually prove myself to the team and the trainers so it was really good when I came through with the record.
“I think it puts me in another category where people know I can turn on the pace and be quite quick and match the kind of blokes like Jetta, Davey and Dempsey.""
Over the past three weeks of the NAB Cup, Atkinson has shown he has the size and speed to make it at the elite level. Atkinson was just grateful for the opportunity to play on the main stage.
“I was pretty excited and was glad that Knighta went with a younger team instead of just playing all the senior blokes,” Atkinson said. “He gave us all a chance to have a go and I was just over the moon to be honest.
“It was exciting to actually get out there and play one game - let alone three games. It was great to be able to get a taste of it and know what is expected in senior football and play on senior AFL players and get that experience and see how they play.
“It would have been good to play with Dustin Fletcher because he is a senior player and a champion of the game but just to play in any AFL team is excitement in itself and I am really glad I was give the opportunity to get out there and play.”
“I’d really love to have the chance to play in the seniors again this year,” Atkinson said.
“I guess I am in the running just like any other rookie but I just have to wait for the opportunity to come and then I will give it my best crack.
“At the moment though, I am just trying to live and learn off everyone – especially the senior guys who have been here for a while.""
“I had to work just as hard to get on the list,” Atkinson said. “I don’t see myself benefiting just because he coached me last year. I still have to work just as hard and do just as much work as any other player,"" he said.
“I played with most of the boys at
“But I am still training as hard as I can and getting used to everything and look forward to an opportunity in the coming year or two.”
