Graeme Atkins (rugby league)
{{Short description|Australian rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Graeme Atkins
|fullname = Graeme Atkins
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|country =
|position = {{rlp|WG|FB}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|06|09|df=y}}
|birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
|height =
|weight =
|club1 = Parramatta Eels
|year1start = 1975
|year1end = 82
|appearances1 = 79
|tries1 = 32
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 99
|club2 = Eastern Suburbs
|year2start = 1983
|year2end = 84
|appearances2 = 26
|tries2 = 5
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 1
|points2 = 21
|club3 = Parramatta Eels
|year3start = 1985
|year3end = 87
|appearances3 = 44
|tries3 = 10
|goals3 = 22
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 84
}}
Graeme Atkins (born 9 June 1956) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s.
Playing career
Atkins made his first grade debut for Parramatta in the 1975 season against Western Suburbs. Atkins was a replacement in the 1976 grand final against Manly-Warringah but was in the starting side for the 1977 grand final and the subsequent replay against St George. In 1981, Atkins scored a try in Parramatta's maiden premiership victory over Newtown. In 1982, Atkins played in the preliminary final victory over Eastern Suburbs but did not feature in the grand final victory of that season.
In 1983, Atkins made the move to Easts but only spent two seasons there before returning to Parramatta. In 1986, Atkins played in 16 games for Parramatta but was not included in the victorious grand final side over Canterbury. Atkins played one more season for Parramatta before retiring at the end of 1987.{{cite web|url=https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/parramattas-zip-zip-man-steve-ella-remembers-the-1981-grand-final/news-story/6fdb5a4b6a65feb769db05d672670e9b?sv=d50d37ae96fd75bc434bd7af1563023a |title=Parramatta's Zip Zip man Steve Ella remembers the 1981 grand final |last=Kent |first=Paul |date=27 September 2011 |website=adelaidenow.com.au}}{{cite web|url=https://www.armidaleexpress.com.au/story/1634079/school-is-in-with-nrl-ref/|title=School is in with NRL ref|date=12 July 2013}}
In 2000, Atkins was made a life member of the Parramatta rugby league club.{{cite web|url=https://www.parraeels.com.au/about/life-members/|title=Parramatta National Rugby League Life Members|website=Parramatta Eels}}{{cite web|url=https://www.parraeels.com.au/about/official-player-numbers/|title=Official Player Numbers|website=Parramatta Eels}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Parramatta Eels squad 1981 NSWRFL premiership}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkins, Graeme}}
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Parramatta Eels players
Category:Rugby league fullbacks
Category:Rugby league players from Sydney
Category:Sydney Roosters players
Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen
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