In utilising his talents and his utility value, Daniel Atkinson became Shark #557 following a cameo appearance against the Storm in Melbourne last Sunday.
Called upon by coach Craig Fitzgibbon late in the game after the injury suffered by Royce Hunt, despite being 18th man Atkinson was activated due to the Hunt injury being a result of foul play, with the 22-year-old making his Sharks NRL debut.
Atkinson had previously played one game in the NRL, ironically for the Melbourne Storm in a match against the Sharks back in round 25 of the 2021 season.
After playing the 2022 season for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Atkinson was a late signing for the Sharks in 2023, playing his first game in Cronulla colours in a trial match against Newcastle at Central Coast Stadium.
He has since been knocking on the door of NRL selection after performing at a consistently high level for a Newtown Jets team currently sitting second on the KOE NSW Cup ladder.
In 10 appearances for the Jets in 2023 Atkinson has scored eight tries, to go along with four try assists and an average of 118 running metres per game.
Unfortunately, a shoulder injury suffered at training earlier this week will keep Atkinson sidelined and prevent him from adding to his NRL game tally or from turning out for the Jets in their round 16 match against the New Zealand Warriors.
Brisbane born and bred, while a member of the Italian team at the recent World Cup due to his family heritage, Atkinson has played in a variety of positions in his rugby league career to date, his talent and potential recently recognised with a two-year contract extension at the Sharks.
“Since his arrival Daniel has fit in seamlessly, is skilled in multiple positions and with his character and the commitment he brings every day, he fits with what we are trying to build,” Fitzgibbon said at the time of the Atkinson re-signing. “He’s the type of player we want to keep here at the Sharks and to watch him develop even further.”
Due to the circumstances surrounding his first Sharks match in the NRL, Atkinson’s debut jersey hadn’t previously been personalised to signify his debut appearance, with his jersey subsequently embroidered and presented prior to training on Friday.
