EXCITING Adelaide midfielder Rory Atkins was unaware his name was thrown up in trade discussions for Carlton star Bryce Gibbs.
Atkins was in the US on an end of season holiday in October when his cousin sent him a text to let him know about reports he could have been part of a deal to send Gibbs to the Crows.
In the end, the two clubs couldn't come to an agreement, with Gibbs having three years left to run on his contract with the Blues.
"I was actually in America at the time and I had no idea about it, saw an article written and it was the first time I heard anything about it," Atkins told reporters on Monday.
"I called my manager straight away and he said, 'No mate, we haven't spoken to the club about that'.
"I was quite happy here."
After just eight games from 2013-15, Atkins became a regular contributor with the Crows through the midfield and on the wing with his pace and quality ball use.
He is keen to improve his consistency and trained for a week at the University of Southern California football program during the off-season.
"Just not fading in and out of games," Atkins said of his goals for next season.
"I played a few good games last year where I got a bit of the ball, and also playing to team structures.
"I feel I can go to the next level this year and really impose my mark on some football games."
Whether that starts during the JRT Community Series remains to be seen.
The AFL Players' Association has flagged possible strike action during the pre-season competition if it can't come to an agreement with the AFL about a collective bargaining agreement.
"Hopefully it gets done in the near future and it doesn't get to that point," Atkins said.
"If it does, I'm behind what all the players want to do.
"We might talk about it once a fortnight or something in a meeting or something, but it's not locker-room chat."
The Crows are aiming to be tougher at the contest after getting blown away by Sydney in the second week of the finals.
"We're implementing more drills that amplify what happens in a final like what happened against Sydney," Atkins said.
"We haven't had any dust ups at training yet.
"As it gets hotter and pre-season drags out, we get more intense and there's more contact drills.
"I'm keen to see what happens in the near future."
