GVGjr
27-02-2007, 05:07 AM
Eade lets Akermanis off the leash (http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2007/02/26/1172338527805.html)
Eade lets Akermanis off the leash
February 26, 2007
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has given outspoken star recruit Jason Akermanis free rein to talk up his highly-anticipated clash with his former club Brisbane.
A rousing 27-point win by the Bulldogs over Sydney set up a NAB Cup second round clash with the Lions, with Akermanis already lobbing the first grenade by calling for Brisbane hard man Jonathan Brown to play.
Akermanis needled Brisbane by claiming Brown "couldn't just flick a switch" and needed game time to be ready for the opening round of the season.
He said that Brown "had been pretty vocal" about his bitter split with Brisbane.
Eade didn't believe Akermanis would get his desired meeting with Brown, who is recovering from a knee injury, but said he had no plans to keep a lid on the former Brownlow Medallist.
"Who said we're going to put a lid on the hype? We're not going to play it down," Eade said ahead of Friday night's match at Telstra Dome.
"It's a NAB Cup game so we're looking forward to it.
"It's going to add a bit for the supporters and I think it's going to be great.
When asked if Akermanis could say whatever he thought, Eade responded: "He's fine, there's no drama. "I don't think he'll be saying too much but that's up to him."
He said he hadn't spoken to the veteran midfielder about taking on his former club, but thought it was good to get that first meeting over early in the year.
"To be honest he's more focused on us.
"There's going to be a lot of interest because it's his old team and probably the angst that happened last year but he's more keen to really be part of our team and the way we're going forward."
Brisbane said Brown was "very unlikely" to play on Friday night, but could make his first appearance of the year should the Lions advance to round three.
Brown was unavailable for comment.
Eade said the Bulldogs wouldn't be at full strength although he expected Ryan Hargrave, Nathan Eagleton, Dale Morris and Peter Street to be available.
Adam Cooney and Chris Grant could return from injury to play for the Bulldogs' VFL club Werribee.
Meanwhile, Eade defended the NAB Cup after Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett called for it to be scrapped in favour of an extended home-and-away season.
Kennett said players were too valuable to risk in matches that carried no premiership points.
"I don't agree with that at all.
"If you don't have the NAB Cup you're going to have some practice matches.
"The NAB Cup is a bit more realistic, played on good grounds and gives the supporters a chance to see some good kids.
"Playing 30 games is unrealistic."
Eade lets Akermanis off the leash
February 26, 2007
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade has given outspoken star recruit Jason Akermanis free rein to talk up his highly-anticipated clash with his former club Brisbane.
A rousing 27-point win by the Bulldogs over Sydney set up a NAB Cup second round clash with the Lions, with Akermanis already lobbing the first grenade by calling for Brisbane hard man Jonathan Brown to play.
Akermanis needled Brisbane by claiming Brown "couldn't just flick a switch" and needed game time to be ready for the opening round of the season.
He said that Brown "had been pretty vocal" about his bitter split with Brisbane.
Eade didn't believe Akermanis would get his desired meeting with Brown, who is recovering from a knee injury, but said he had no plans to keep a lid on the former Brownlow Medallist.
"Who said we're going to put a lid on the hype? We're not going to play it down," Eade said ahead of Friday night's match at Telstra Dome.
"It's a NAB Cup game so we're looking forward to it.
"It's going to add a bit for the supporters and I think it's going to be great.
When asked if Akermanis could say whatever he thought, Eade responded: "He's fine, there's no drama. "I don't think he'll be saying too much but that's up to him."
He said he hadn't spoken to the veteran midfielder about taking on his former club, but thought it was good to get that first meeting over early in the year.
"To be honest he's more focused on us.
"There's going to be a lot of interest because it's his old team and probably the angst that happened last year but he's more keen to really be part of our team and the way we're going forward."
Brisbane said Brown was "very unlikely" to play on Friday night, but could make his first appearance of the year should the Lions advance to round three.
Brown was unavailable for comment.
Eade said the Bulldogs wouldn't be at full strength although he expected Ryan Hargrave, Nathan Eagleton, Dale Morris and Peter Street to be available.
Adam Cooney and Chris Grant could return from injury to play for the Bulldogs' VFL club Werribee.
Meanwhile, Eade defended the NAB Cup after Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett called for it to be scrapped in favour of an extended home-and-away season.
Kennett said players were too valuable to risk in matches that carried no premiership points.
"I don't agree with that at all.
"If you don't have the NAB Cup you're going to have some practice matches.
"The NAB Cup is a bit more realistic, played on good grounds and gives the supporters a chance to see some good kids.
"Playing 30 games is unrealistic."