southerncross
09-07-2007, 05:47 AM
Akermanis finds his feet (http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22038270%255E19775,00.html)
WESTERN Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson says the big- game experience of triple premiership star Jason Akermanis will be invaluable for the Dogs as they make a charge towards the finals.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5558628,00.jpg On a roll: Jason Akermanis celebrates one of his three goals against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome on Saturday. Picture: Colleen Petch
On Saturday, Akermanis produced arguably his best game since he arrived at Whitten Oval this season, kicking three goals and grabbing 17 possessions against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome.
Two rousing goals from the former Lion, late in the final quarter, helped seal the 20-point win that has kept alive his new club's finals ambitions.
Johnson, who kicked five goals in the win, said Akermanis was gaining in confidence with every game and he was sure the 30-year-old was ready to make an impact.
"He is getting better and better. He has been fantastic for us, especially his last month," Johnson said.
"He has played some very important games, but the way he finished off his work (on Saturday) was just reward for effort for Aker.
"He is just getting more and more confident. The first half of the year I suppose he had a few little injuries and was just getting his body right.
"But the last month he has just got extreme confidence in his body and he is just really looking to have an impact, which he is doing in the second half of the year."
Akermanis said it was always going to take time for him to settle in a new environment, but there were no more excuses for poor performances.
"I have been scrutinised a lot and that is fine," Akermanis said.
"I think there has been a lot of criticism, but what do people expect? You have to learn so much and it's going to take time. I know I have bought myself some time, but after halfway (through the season) I said there was no more excuses."
Ruckman Luke Darcy was another Bulldog to wind back the form clock.
Darcy, who has struggled with his form this season after two years out because of knee reconstructions, had 23 disposals, 11 marks and 10 contested possessions.
It was the most disposals Darcy has had in a game since Round 2, 2004.
"He was fantastic - his toughness and the fact that he had an extreme impact in the middle of the ground, which is exactly what we needed against (Brendon) Lade and (Dean) Brogan, who are two quality ruckmen," Johnson said.
"It was good to see Darc stand up for the team and give it some drive, which he knows he can do. He will be super keen now to continue that form."
WESTERN Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson says the big- game experience of triple premiership star Jason Akermanis will be invaluable for the Dogs as they make a charge towards the finals.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5558628,00.jpg On a roll: Jason Akermanis celebrates one of his three goals against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome on Saturday. Picture: Colleen Petch
On Saturday, Akermanis produced arguably his best game since he arrived at Whitten Oval this season, kicking three goals and grabbing 17 possessions against Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome.
Two rousing goals from the former Lion, late in the final quarter, helped seal the 20-point win that has kept alive his new club's finals ambitions.
Johnson, who kicked five goals in the win, said Akermanis was gaining in confidence with every game and he was sure the 30-year-old was ready to make an impact.
"He is getting better and better. He has been fantastic for us, especially his last month," Johnson said.
"He has played some very important games, but the way he finished off his work (on Saturday) was just reward for effort for Aker.
"He is just getting more and more confident. The first half of the year I suppose he had a few little injuries and was just getting his body right.
"But the last month he has just got extreme confidence in his body and he is just really looking to have an impact, which he is doing in the second half of the year."
Akermanis said it was always going to take time for him to settle in a new environment, but there were no more excuses for poor performances.
"I have been scrutinised a lot and that is fine," Akermanis said.
"I think there has been a lot of criticism, but what do people expect? You have to learn so much and it's going to take time. I know I have bought myself some time, but after halfway (through the season) I said there was no more excuses."
Ruckman Luke Darcy was another Bulldog to wind back the form clock.
Darcy, who has struggled with his form this season after two years out because of knee reconstructions, had 23 disposals, 11 marks and 10 contested possessions.
It was the most disposals Darcy has had in a game since Round 2, 2004.
"He was fantastic - his toughness and the fact that he had an extreme impact in the middle of the ground, which is exactly what we needed against (Brendon) Lade and (Dean) Brogan, who are two quality ruckmen," Johnson said.
"It was good to see Darc stand up for the team and give it some drive, which he knows he can do. He will be super keen now to continue that form."