ATKINSON, Jarrod

Jarrod Atkinson was a mature-age draftee aged 23 when he was picked up by Essendon in the 2007 Rookie Draft after impressing selectors as a defender in the VFL with the Bendigo Bombers in that same year.

He started the 2008 season showing great potential playing in the pre-season cup where his size and speed suggested he could succeed at the elite level. Jarrod also showed he was out to make the most of his opportunity at Essendon by breaking the Club's sprint record over 20m with a time of 2.73 seconds previously jointly held by Alwyn Davey, Courtenay Dempsey and Leroy Jetta.

Atkinson's efforts were rewarded by being promoted to the senior list in April of 2008 after Scott Lucas was placed on the long-term injury list. He played his debut game for Essendon, along with fellow debutants, Darcy Daniher and David Myers, in Round 7 against Port Adelaide at Docklands. He finished the year playing five senior games.

He played a further five games in 2009 and another seven in 2010 but was delisted at the end of the year.