Making an impression as a ruckman, Atkins twice tied for club best and fairest player award, ultimately losing both times on countback.
[2][4] After making his WAFL league debut in 1989, he played 266 times for the Bulldogs including the 1997 premiership.
[4][5][6][7][8] In July 2003 Atkins overtook Tom Grljusich as the South Fremantle games record holder.
[4] Atkins was appointed playing coach of Wesley-Curtin in the Western Australian Amateur Football League (WAAFL) for the 2008 season.
After 15 years, Atkins left the police in 2003 to take up a role with South Fremantle as football manager.