Daniel Atkinson

Daniel Atkinson (born 15 January 2001) is an Italy international rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth or halfback for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL). He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Melbourne Storm. Atkinson was born in Brisbane, Queensland and was educated at St Joseph's College, Nudgee. It is whilst studying here, Atkinson had a stint at rugby union. Atkinson is of Italian descent. He played junior rugby league for the Albany Creek Crushers, before signing with Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup Colts competition in 2019. Ahead of the 2020 season, Atkinson was signed by the Melbourne Storm to a development contract and allocated to play for the Brisbane Tigers, making his Tigers' debut in the opening game of the 2021 Queensland Cup season. Atkinson also played a number of games for the Victorian Thunderbolts in the Jersey Flegg Cup. In round 25 of the 2021 NRL season, Atkinson made his debut off the bench for Melbourne against Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks where they won 28–16. He had his Melbourne jersey (cap number 216) presented to him by Melbourne Storm teammate Dale Finucane and Football Manager Frank Ponissi.