GVGjr
09-06-2007, 08:37 AM
I just want to chase a kick, not headlines (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,21873291%255E20322,00.html)
LET'S address the most obvious thing people want me to talk about this week, Jason Akermanis writes.
Brisbane's target a win, not Akermanis
The questions started the day it all ended at Brisbane and they have got louder and more frequent - definitely more frequent this week.
I'm kind of tired of it all, aren't you?
Having said that, I totally understand and respect why people want to know what I'm thinking as I head in as a Western Bulldogs player against my old club, Brisbane.
The questions aside, I wouldn't miss this moment for the world, and I'm certainly not hiding from it.
But, bottom line - I just want to get out there and play the game so maybe then we can talk about something else.
My old mate Jonathan Brown made some taunting comments about this match a while ago, but what's done is done. Big deal.
Which is pretty much where I'm at, too. This game means lots to both teams - we need a win, they need a win.
This little sideshow is just that.
Let's just go and play a normal game of footy. They will come at us, we will go at them. For me it may be a little different but probably not for anyone else.
They tell me that tonight they are going to spray one side of the Gabba maroon and will be using me as a promotional tool. Come and show your true colours, they are saying. I like it.
That's all fine by me. Flattering even. I hope people can show up to watch our great game played at its best.
Anyone who knows anything about me and my time at the Lions will know I loved playing for the club. And playing at that ground for that matter.
Since I started there at the end of 1994 I have seen the Gabba turned from a sparse area of viewing with a dog track on it into one of the great venues to watch sport in the world.
I can remember some of the great individual and team clashes of my life being played there. For sure, it will be strange to be part of the away team, but life is full of new experiences. This is one of the very rare ones.
I recall one of my former teammates, Simon Black, having a tough time when he went back to Perth a couple of years ago.
Simon had became a Brownlow medallist and premiership player and everyone wanted to ring him on his return to his home city.
Every radio station, TV program, old school friends and family thought they should catch up while he was there.
By the time the game came around Blacky was spent mentally. And yes, mental ability plays a big part in our game, not just the physical stuff.
So forgive me if I haven't got back to you this week but I think the lesson from Blacky a few years ago is pretty clear to me: remember I am here to play football, not to catch up for a social chat.
Hope those who show up tonight show their true colours. Mine, now, are red, white and blue.
LET'S address the most obvious thing people want me to talk about this week, Jason Akermanis writes.
Brisbane's target a win, not Akermanis
The questions started the day it all ended at Brisbane and they have got louder and more frequent - definitely more frequent this week.
I'm kind of tired of it all, aren't you?
Having said that, I totally understand and respect why people want to know what I'm thinking as I head in as a Western Bulldogs player against my old club, Brisbane.
The questions aside, I wouldn't miss this moment for the world, and I'm certainly not hiding from it.
But, bottom line - I just want to get out there and play the game so maybe then we can talk about something else.
My old mate Jonathan Brown made some taunting comments about this match a while ago, but what's done is done. Big deal.
Which is pretty much where I'm at, too. This game means lots to both teams - we need a win, they need a win.
This little sideshow is just that.
Let's just go and play a normal game of footy. They will come at us, we will go at them. For me it may be a little different but probably not for anyone else.
They tell me that tonight they are going to spray one side of the Gabba maroon and will be using me as a promotional tool. Come and show your true colours, they are saying. I like it.
That's all fine by me. Flattering even. I hope people can show up to watch our great game played at its best.
Anyone who knows anything about me and my time at the Lions will know I loved playing for the club. And playing at that ground for that matter.
Since I started there at the end of 1994 I have seen the Gabba turned from a sparse area of viewing with a dog track on it into one of the great venues to watch sport in the world.
I can remember some of the great individual and team clashes of my life being played there. For sure, it will be strange to be part of the away team, but life is full of new experiences. This is one of the very rare ones.
I recall one of my former teammates, Simon Black, having a tough time when he went back to Perth a couple of years ago.
Simon had became a Brownlow medallist and premiership player and everyone wanted to ring him on his return to his home city.
Every radio station, TV program, old school friends and family thought they should catch up while he was there.
By the time the game came around Blacky was spent mentally. And yes, mental ability plays a big part in our game, not just the physical stuff.
So forgive me if I haven't got back to you this week but I think the lesson from Blacky a few years ago is pretty clear to me: remember I am here to play football, not to catch up for a social chat.
Hope those who show up tonight show their true colours. Mine, now, are red, white and blue.