Geelong coach Chris Scott doesn't make a habit of singling out individual players out for public praise.
He had plenty of opportunity after big names Bailey Smith, Max Holmes, Jeremy Cameron and Patrick Dangerfield all starred in the Cats' 18.11 (119) to 15.10 (100) win over Adelaide.
But one of their lower-profile teammates outshone them all at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night, prompting Scott to break his rule.
"We really like Bailey, and Max was good as well, but they weren't as good as Tom Atkins," the two-time premiership coach said.
"That was a really special game, especially when the heat was on and we were being outplayed.
"We thought he was the one that stood up.
"I only say it because high-profile players always get the plaudits but I'm not sure that's appropriate in this situation."
Atkins tallied 24 disposals and nine clearances in Geelong's engine room while also helping to blunt Adelaide livewire Izak Rankine's influence.
He helped turn the tide when the Cats trailed by 30 points midway through the second quarter and had a huge say in the result.
Dangerfield and Cameron kicked eight goals between them, combining to boot all of their side's majors in a decisive five-goals-to-one final term.
Smith (35 disposals, six clearances) and Holmes (32 disposals, five clearances) were the game's premier ball-winners and were the top two players on the ground for metres gained.
"I think Smith complements Holmes pretty well," Scott said of his off-season trade acquisition.
"Every team that has a really good player always says it would be nice if you had two of them.
"I'm not saying they're exactly the same, but they are more similar than other guys in our team."
Geelong (3-2) have now won consecutive games for the first time this year and next face a huge showdown with unbeaten Hawthorn in their traditional Easter Monday blockbuster.
