New recruit Rory Atkins is excited for his new opportunity back in South Australia, and to be back close to family. 

Officially becoming a Port Adelaide player on Tuesday afternoon, Atkins reflected on the ‘hectic’ last-minute trade and how much he’s looking forward to the change. 

Speaking with the club on Thursday, the 30-year-old discussed his family connections in Adelaide, how the trade went down and how he wants to impact his new club. 

Atkins on the trade to Port Adelaide 
“Yeah, it all happened Monday morning. I called my manager and wondered what was going on, and this had been bubbling away. I knew the Dan (Houston) stuff was going on, and my manager threw out the opportunity whether I'd like to come play for Port Adelaide, and I just jumped at it. I said, certainly, I'm looking forward to coming in and seeing how I go here, and giving it my best crack. Yeah, it's all happened really fast. 

“(It’s been) hectic. Obviously, the initial chats with my partner, Georgia. We've got a little family there. We've got young Daisy. She's 10 months old, so making sure everyone's fine and ticked off with all that, but then originally telling my teammates, my family, that I'll be going to seek other opportunities and we're moving. So it's been a good four years to get to know all those guys up on the Gold Coast, but just doing the right thing for my family and myself. So yeah, some tough conversations were had, but we've enjoyed my last four years on the Gold Coast.” 

Atkins on family connections in Adelaide 
“When I was back here in Adelaide, I met my partner Georgia, so all her side of the family is here. We're just so looking forward to immersing ourselves in that family life. We didn't have anyone up on the Gold Coast as well. So another reason why I jumped at the opportunity to come back, we're really looking forward to getting our little one Daisy amongst her family. So it was just another draw card to come here.” 

Atkins on his new opportunity 
“Obviously, the last 12 months didn't go to plan at the Suns, but I still felt like I played some really good footy, which enabled me to get this opportunity that's in front of me right now. I put so much work into myself, physically and mentally, to be able to perform the way I did, to create this opportunity. So all it does is give me that exact thing, an opportunity to come in, train hard, win the respect from the guys. I know it's a bit cliche, but just come in and get the pre-season done, work my backside off, and just see where it takes me. Hopefully an opportunity is there, and we can just see where that goes.” 

Atkins on the Showdown rivalry 
“My first game was actually in the 2015 Showdown after Phil Walsh passed, and that was a Port Adelaide home Showdown. And that something that will stick in my mind forever, like that screech that the supporters let off. No disrespect to Adelaide supporters, I enjoyed my time there, but it's a different screech. It's a different cheer! So I'm just looking forward to playing in front of that home crowd with a lot of tradition. It's a football club with a lot of history, so to be on the other side, I'm looking forward to the opportunity.” 

Atkins on his connections to Port Adelaide 
“I haven't crossed paths with too many coaches over my time. I was in Ollie's (Wines) draft year, I’ve knocked about with Tommy Clurey a bit, and then through my time in Adelaide, bumped into Connor and Zak around the traps and Trav as well. And obviously, Jack, coming over as well, spent four years with him. So there's enough there to start well.” 

Atkins on Jack Lukosius 
“That's right, you've seen what Jack can do on the field. He's got a booming kick, and probably will line up for goal anywhere within 60-65 metres. But other than the stuff on the field, he's a great character. He's going to get around the locker room with ease. And yeah, a ripper to be around. So he's going to fit in seamlessly.” 

Atkins on who he’s looking forward to playing and training alongside 
“I haven't played a lot of footy with Ollie since we got drafted. We were in the under 18s programs together. Looking forward to playing with him, and then also, no secret that I’m looking forward to playing with Connor and Zak, and just being out there. I’ve played against them and admired what they've done from afar.”