GVGjr
25-02-2007, 09:48 AM
Aker makes quiet start (http://www.news.com.au/sundayheraldsun/story/0,,21282999-11088,00.html)
IT wasn't the birthday present Jason Akermanis was after, with his Western Bulldogs debut quieter than expected.
While the Bulldogs were far too good for Sydney at Manuka Oval yesterday, the former Brisbane Lions champion had only 10 touches on his 30th birthday.
Akermanis was shadowed for the afternoon by Sydney rookie Kieren Jack, the teenager who has been in the glare of the AFL betting scandal for the past week, and only showed brilliance in patches.
But the quiet debut did not concern Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, who was happy about how his team won by 27 points, with many of its experienced players -- such as Akermanis, captain Brad Johnson and Scott West -- down on usual form.
"To be able to perform like we did was very pleasing given I thought a lot of our experienced blokes didn't play that well," Eade said.
"With 'Aker', we thought that (tagging) would happen. Jason has had that a lot in his career and he has to work through that.
"He did some good things, showed his class with some good kicks, but it wasn't a great day. That's OK -- we're not expecting big things as he has to get used to the team and the way we play."
The performance of the other experienced recruit, Andrew McDougall, was far more pleasing, with the former Eagle collecting 18 possessions, nine marks and 1.2 goals at centre half-forward.
"I thought he could have ended up with a couple more (goals)," Eade said. "His work rate was good, he turned one over for us with a good tackle."
Eade was also excited about the performance of draftees Malcolm Lynch (three goals) and Jarrod Harbrow (one).
"They both worked their way into the game and showed long-term they are going to be exciting players for us," he said.
Johnson and defender Cameron Wight suffered knocks, but were cleared of any problems after the match.
Defenders Ryan Hargrave and Dale Morris, ruckman Peter Street and midfielder Nathan Eagleton will return for next week's second-round NAB Cup match at Telstra Dome.
Sydney has not won a pre-season cup match since Paul Roos took over in 2002 and assistant coach John Longmire -- in charge yesterday -- said another early exit wasn't a problem for last year's grand finalist.
"It's always a mixed bag this time of the year," he said.
IT wasn't the birthday present Jason Akermanis was after, with his Western Bulldogs debut quieter than expected.
While the Bulldogs were far too good for Sydney at Manuka Oval yesterday, the former Brisbane Lions champion had only 10 touches on his 30th birthday.
Akermanis was shadowed for the afternoon by Sydney rookie Kieren Jack, the teenager who has been in the glare of the AFL betting scandal for the past week, and only showed brilliance in patches.
But the quiet debut did not concern Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade, who was happy about how his team won by 27 points, with many of its experienced players -- such as Akermanis, captain Brad Johnson and Scott West -- down on usual form.
"To be able to perform like we did was very pleasing given I thought a lot of our experienced blokes didn't play that well," Eade said.
"With 'Aker', we thought that (tagging) would happen. Jason has had that a lot in his career and he has to work through that.
"He did some good things, showed his class with some good kicks, but it wasn't a great day. That's OK -- we're not expecting big things as he has to get used to the team and the way we play."
The performance of the other experienced recruit, Andrew McDougall, was far more pleasing, with the former Eagle collecting 18 possessions, nine marks and 1.2 goals at centre half-forward.
"I thought he could have ended up with a couple more (goals)," Eade said. "His work rate was good, he turned one over for us with a good tackle."
Eade was also excited about the performance of draftees Malcolm Lynch (three goals) and Jarrod Harbrow (one).
"They both worked their way into the game and showed long-term they are going to be exciting players for us," he said.
Johnson and defender Cameron Wight suffered knocks, but were cleared of any problems after the match.
Defenders Ryan Hargrave and Dale Morris, ruckman Peter Street and midfielder Nathan Eagleton will return for next week's second-round NAB Cup match at Telstra Dome.
Sydney has not won a pre-season cup match since Paul Roos took over in 2002 and assistant coach John Longmire -- in charge yesterday -- said another early exit wasn't a problem for last year's grand finalist.
"It's always a mixed bag this time of the year," he said.