While his preferred position might be in the halves, newcomer Daniel Atkinson brings a whole lot more to the Cronulla club after signing a one-year deal at the Sharks.
A member of the Italian team at the recent World Cup, Atkinson has played in a variety of positions in his rugby league career to date, with the 22-year-old who has joined the fulltime NRL training group, happy to contribute wherever he fits best.
“I prefer half or five eighth, but I played centre recently, a bit of lock, hooker, I’ll play wherever the coach needs me,” Atkinson said.
Brisbane born and bred, after playing his junior football at the Albany Creek Crushers, then rugby union at St Joseph’s College in Nudgee, Atkinson returned to league at the Norths Devils in Queensland, before moving to the Melbourne Storm, where he debuted in the NRL in round 25 of the 2021 season.
Ironically that match was played against the Sharks with the Storm victorious by 28-16, Atkinson presented with his debut jersey by current teammate and former Melbourne skipper Dale Finucane.
In 2022 Atkinson played in the Queensland Cup for the Sunshine Coast Falcons, who have granted him a release from his 2023 contract to join the Sharks.
Following the 2022 season Atkinson headed to the UK for the World Cup where he represented Italy in all three pool matches.
Atkinson is likely to be given the opportunity to display his talents during the Sharks upcoming trial match against Newcastle this Friday night.
