BulldogBelle
10-02-2007, 02:53 PM
Aker has settled in nicely at the Dogs, here is an article from "The Age"
*****
Aka fits perfectly, says Eade
Sam Lienert
February 10, 2007
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Jason Akermanis has slotted into the club "like a hand into a glove" and has voluntarily put his motormouth into low gear.
Akermanis' acrimonious break-up with the Brisbane Lions last season left potential suitors wary of the effect his outspoken nature could have on the fabric of teams.
But Eade said the triple-premiership player had won over his new teammates with his exemplary approach since joining the club.
"He's fitted in extremely well; it's like a hand into a glove. Players have accepted him really well because he's very professional," Eade said. "Any player in any sport going to any organisation, if you work hard you're going to win the respect of your teammates pretty quickly."
Akermanis' relationship with the Lions became strained last season, sparked by critical comments about coach Leigh Matthews in his newspaper column and on his website. Things boiled over when he was banned by the Lions for the last seven rounds of the season.
"But it's all about communication and talking over things, I suppose, discussing it like adults rather than hitting people over the head with a big stick.
"Probably the only time is when he made mention of his former club when he first arrived in November and I said, 'Listen, it's probably best not to mention that again'. That wasn't done in a harsh way or something that he just had to do."
Eade said Akermanis had volunteered to ensure his mouth did not cause friction. "He's come to the conclusion, not from us, he's come to the conclusion that he doesn't want to do too much (media)," he said.
"And it's his decision, or his idea, to run his (column) by me before it goes to print, so that's all to do with him, it's nothing generated by us. It just shows his experience, maturity and his professionalism."
Eade said Akermanis' willingness to share the benefits of his experiences with the Bulldogs' young players was a bonus.
"I think (he brings) the experience of playing finals and what he can add off-field to our players education-wise," Eade said. "He's doing a bit of that, he's talking to some players about how they can improve, I think that's been a real plus."
■ Controversial ruckman Peter Everitt has often been accused of not acting his age but Sydney is treating him like a 32-year-old entering his 15th AFL season.
The Swans are taking a softly-softly approach with him and coach Paul Roos said the club was being careful not to burn out the gifted big man in his first season in Sydney.
"We have spoken to him; you have to be aware of his age and we want to make sure we get a minimum two years out of him," Roos said.
Everitt, on the way back from ankle surgery last year, is not expected to debut for the Swans until the second round of the pre-season competition.
Roos floated the possibility of playing Everitt, Darren Jolly and Stephen Doyle in some matches to ease the burden on Spida. "I suspect we will mix it up a bit and the other thing with Peter is that he can go forward, so I think he will probably play around 80 minutes a game and that is what we are looking for him to do — just mixing it up from ruck to forward."
*****
Aka fits perfectly, says Eade
Sam Lienert
February 10, 2007
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Jason Akermanis has slotted into the club "like a hand into a glove" and has voluntarily put his motormouth into low gear.
Akermanis' acrimonious break-up with the Brisbane Lions last season left potential suitors wary of the effect his outspoken nature could have on the fabric of teams.
But Eade said the triple-premiership player had won over his new teammates with his exemplary approach since joining the club.
"He's fitted in extremely well; it's like a hand into a glove. Players have accepted him really well because he's very professional," Eade said. "Any player in any sport going to any organisation, if you work hard you're going to win the respect of your teammates pretty quickly."
Akermanis' relationship with the Lions became strained last season, sparked by critical comments about coach Leigh Matthews in his newspaper column and on his website. Things boiled over when he was banned by the Lions for the last seven rounds of the season.
"But it's all about communication and talking over things, I suppose, discussing it like adults rather than hitting people over the head with a big stick.
"Probably the only time is when he made mention of his former club when he first arrived in November and I said, 'Listen, it's probably best not to mention that again'. That wasn't done in a harsh way or something that he just had to do."
Eade said Akermanis had volunteered to ensure his mouth did not cause friction. "He's come to the conclusion, not from us, he's come to the conclusion that he doesn't want to do too much (media)," he said.
"And it's his decision, or his idea, to run his (column) by me before it goes to print, so that's all to do with him, it's nothing generated by us. It just shows his experience, maturity and his professionalism."
Eade said Akermanis' willingness to share the benefits of his experiences with the Bulldogs' young players was a bonus.
"I think (he brings) the experience of playing finals and what he can add off-field to our players education-wise," Eade said. "He's doing a bit of that, he's talking to some players about how they can improve, I think that's been a real plus."
■ Controversial ruckman Peter Everitt has often been accused of not acting his age but Sydney is treating him like a 32-year-old entering his 15th AFL season.
The Swans are taking a softly-softly approach with him and coach Paul Roos said the club was being careful not to burn out the gifted big man in his first season in Sydney.
"We have spoken to him; you have to be aware of his age and we want to make sure we get a minimum two years out of him," Roos said.
Everitt, on the way back from ankle surgery last year, is not expected to debut for the Swans until the second round of the pre-season competition.
Roos floated the possibility of playing Everitt, Darren Jolly and Stephen Doyle in some matches to ease the burden on Spida. "I suspect we will mix it up a bit and the other thing with Peter is that he can go forward, so I think he will probably play around 80 minutes a game and that is what we are looking for him to do — just mixing it up from ruck to forward."