Tomkinson (24) played his 50th game for Otago last week when the Otago side lost to Southland 32-15 in Invercargill on Friday night.
It was not the ideal way for Tomkinson to bring up his 50th game but he was still happy to bring up the mark.
"I’m pretty proud to bring up 50 games. That was probably one of my goals when I came in as a young fella. It has crept up pretty fast," he said.
"It was pretty disappointing to lose, but they probably wanted it a bit more. We just did not front up physically and they wanted it a bit more than we did."
Tomkinson said it might have been a timely loss as it gave the side a focus and it was better to have had it in the regular season than in the playoffs.
The midfielder played his first game for Otago in 2015 when he was in his first year out of Otago Boys’ High School, coming on in a loss to Tasman.
He has been in the side pretty much consistently since and marked his 50th last Friday night by scoring a try.
A highlight of his Otago career was the successful Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato in 2018.
"It was only the second time I had challenged for the shield. Just on the day, the first 20 minutes we were up by 20 points. Just come out all guns blazing and it all clicked for us. I think it just came from the preparation during the week. You nail all the details and on Saturday it all becomes second nature and things work out."
Tomkinson did not have a great start to this season. He came off the bench in the first game of the season and was given a red card for a high tackle of Auckland first five-eighth Simon Hickey. He was suspended for six weeks.
"Given that what happened at the start of the season and being out for six weeks was a long time ... it is good to get out there now and play some footy.
"It is a contact sport but a little misjudgement there and obviously a slip up now and then. You just have to carry on.
"But I’ll try not to change anything. The key thing for me is body height and getting my arms and wrapping them round. To me it is an easy fix."
The midfielder has been training with the Highlanders since he was out of school, but this year he got a decent run for the side, slotting in at second five-eighth.
"Like any player you want to go out there and play the best footy you can. That helps when you get consistent game time and it just clicks. I’m just grateful the coaches backed me this year."
He said it was just about training hard and getting ready for the season, despite the pandemic.
Tomkinson has signed with the Highlanders for next year and cannot wait for it to start.
He paid tribute to his parents and his partner Shayde Bain and her family for all the support in getting to 50 games.