Ernie Atkins
University
AFL career
23 games7 goals
- Debut
- R5 1913 v CAR24 May 1913
- Most recent
- R18 1914 v STK29 Aug 1914
Stats
Bio
A consistent contributor during the final chapter of the University Football Club’s VFL tenure, Ernie Atkins was a regular fixture in a side that battled valiantly against superior professional opposition. Born in South Melbourne, he broke into the varsity lineup in 1913 and held his place through the club's winless 1914 campaign, playing 23 games and booting seven goals as the Students struggled to remain competitive. His senior career ended abruptly when the club withdrew from the competition prior to the 1915 season due to player shortages and the outbreak of the Great War. Atkins’ legacy is somberly tied to his son, Jack Atkins, who followed his father into the VFL with Melbourne in 1940 before being killed in action aboard the HMAS Perth during World War II.
Profile
- Born
- 26 Apr 1890
- Died
- 14 Sept 1972 (aged 82y 141d)
- Birthplace
- South Melbourne, VIC
- Deathplace
- Hawthorn, VIC
Teams
Family
- Son:Jack Atkins
Bio
1 revisionA consistent contributor during the final chapter of the University Football Club’s VFL tenure, Ernie Atkins was a regular fixture in a side that battled valiantly against superior professional opposition. Born in South Melbourne, he broke into the varsity lineup in 1913 and held his place through the club's winless 1914 campaign, playing 23 games and booting seven goals as the Students struggled to remain competitive. His senior career ended abruptly when the club withdrew from the competition prior to the 1915 season due to player shortages and the outbreak of the Great War. Atkins’ legacy is somberly tied to his son, Jack Atkins, who followed his father into the VFL with Melbourne in 1940 before being killed in action aboard the HMAS Perth during World War II.