Named best-on-ground after scoring in Melbourne City's A-League grand final triumph on Sunday, the Riverside Olympic product's perfect week improved when he was selected for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The 22-year-old said the developments justified his many sacrifices, including leaving home at 14 to pursue his sporting dream.

"As a footballer you want to play on the biggest stage and other than a World Cup, Olympics are probably the next best thing," Atkinson said.

"I'm over the moon, not just for myself but my family as well.

"To mix with big names, people like Usain Bolt and others that you grew up watching as a young kid ... you never think you'll get a chance like that so when the opportunity comes to be an Olympian, it does give you goosebumps."

Few of the 11 Tasmanians heading to Tokyo looked as unlikely as Atkinson.

Initially banned for the 2020 Games, the COVID-enforced postponement reopened the Olympic door which appeared to slam shut again when he suffered what looked like a season-ending hamstring injury.

Playing against Wellington Phoenix in early April, Atkinson suffered a high-grade hamstring tear which was expected to keep him out of action for up to three months.

He returned in two, just in time to make the starting XI for the grand final, where he scored City's first goal, won the Joe Marston Medal and helped the club secure its maiden A-League title.

Watched by his mum, Kristy - another former Riverside Olympic player who also coached his first junior team - Atkinson was subsequently named in the Olyroos' final Olympic squad of 18.

The former Riverside Primary and High School student, who completed his education in Hobart and Melbourne, did not know how close he was in coach Graham Arnold's grand plan.

"You can sort of guess how close you are and the coaches speak to everyone and watch how you're going but it was definitely a wide open race," he said.

Atkinson has fond memories of previous Olympic soccer tournaments and knows the global spotlight could be a springboard for his career.

"I watched the last Olympic final when Neymar scored the winning penalty in Rio," he said.

"Being mostly an under-23 competition, it's going to have a lot of eyes on it and overseas clubs looking at it, so it puts you on the market and is a big opportunity to make a career for yourself."

Returning to the Olympic arena for the first time since 2008, the Olyroos qualified in January with Nicholas D'Agostino's strike against Uzbekistan confirming Asian Qualifying Tournament victory in Bangkok.

Featuring players from clubs across the A-League, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, the Olyroos have been drawn in Group C with Egypt, Spain and Argentina, and will open their campaign on July 22 in Sapporo against the Argentinians.

The Olympic tournament features under-23s plus three eligible overage players.

Another West Tamar resident was on hand to congratulate Atkinson as Legana's Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman said it was "fantastic" to see the Olyroos back at the Olympics. "To have both the Olyroos and Matildas in action in Tokyo will be great for football fans across the nation," he said.