Jason Akermanis flying solo

[The Coon Dog]

Mark Stevens - Herald Sun - June 22

JASON Akermanis is a lone figure on the track this week as the rest of his Western Bulldogs teammates enjoy a holiday.

The Dogs have given all players a leave pass from training until Friday, but the controversial veteran is stepping up his rehabilitation program.

"Aker will train through. He's there for the whole week," Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said yesterday.

Article in full... (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jason-akermanis-flying-solo/story-e6frf9jf-1225882517017)

[BulldogBelle]

More of the same from The Australian.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/bulldogs-young-guns-leave-jason-akermanis-on-outer/story-e6frg7mf-1225882477169

[Ozza]

Was interesting to hear Gia interviewed on SEN after the game on Sunday night.

Whilst Gia didn't say anything controversial or negative in particular - he did make mention that Aker hadn't been around much - and that it would be hard to get back in the side with Grant, Wood etc performing.

None of that wasn't factual, but what he chose to focus on - well, you could read a little into that.

[Cyberdoggie]

I can think of 2 players that they can make way for Aker in Hill and Stack.

Will be interesting to see if he opens his mouth up tomorrow.

[Mantis]

I can think of 2 players that they can make way for Aker in Hill and Stack.



Most think that Ward & Higgins will take these guys spots in the team... Who else would be vulnerable?

[Scraggers]

Most think that Ward & Higgins will take these guys spots in the team... Who else would be vulnerable?

I would have Akermanis in the team over Eagleton every day of the week (and twice on the Sabbath) ... simply, Aka offers more options to the team than Eagleton.

[chef]

I would have Akermanis in the team over Eagleton every day of the week (and twice on the Sabbath) ... simply, Aka offers more options to the team than Eagleton.

I disagree, IMO Eagleton offers more to the side than Aker(which isn't saying much) and both players will struggle to be in our best 22 if everybody is up and firing(but there is a fair chance a few will be injured but).

With Ward, Higgins and Williams to come back in, the players most under the pump will be Stack, Hill, Grant and Wood. Hopefully Grant stays in but with the MC's reluctance to drop senior players he needs to keep demanding a spot.

[hujsh]

I disagree, IMO Eagleton offers more to the side than Aker(which isn't saying much) and both players will struggle to be in our best 22 if everybody is up and firing(but there is a fair chance a few will be injured but).

While not the player he was Aker is a norm smith medalist while Eagle has a reputation for underperforming against the best teams. Therefore I'd have Aker in our best 22 come finals time ahead of Eagle

[LostDoggy]

While not the player he was Aker is a norm smith medalist while Eagle has a reputation for underperforming against the best teams. Therefore I'd have Aker in our best 22 come finals time ahead of Eagle

Absolutely correct. You can't talk about the two in the same breath

[chef]

Absolutely correct. You can't talk about the two in the same breath

Why not?

Aker is not the player he used to be. If they were both in their peak, fair enough.

[mjp]

Can we just take Aker at his word - he was not playing well due to the fact he was carrying an injury. If he returns to anywhere close to the form he displayed last year, he is easily in our best 22 - and closer to our best 10.

I know he says some stupid things, but he can play...we were all pretty ready to give Johnno a free-pass for his early season form based on injury - which is all fair enough - but based on his career surely Aker is worthy of the same level of respect?

[azabob]

Can we just take Aker at his word - he was not playing well due to the fact he was carrying an injury. If he returns to anywhere close to the form he displayed last year, he is easily in our best 22 - and closer to our best 10.

I know he says some stupid things, but he can play...we were all pretty ready to give Johnno a free-pass for his early season form based on injury - which is all fair enough - but based on his career surely Aker is worthy of the same level of respect?

My question is if he was injured why was he playing?

MJP, being in football circles at a higher level than most do you think the match commitee would've pressured Akermanis to play injured?
I tend to recall after the 2008 season he mentioned playing injured also and that's why his early form was poor.

I know players play injured but surely if Aker said I need a rest the match commitee would've listened?

[Scraggers]

Why not?

Aker is not the player he used to be. If they were both in their peak, fair enough.

Aker might not be the player he used to be, he is still worth more in our 22 than Eagleton. Aker reads the play better, is quicker, is more skillful, and more versitile with the positions he can hold down.

[mjp]

I know players play injured but surely if Aker said I need a rest the match commitee would've listened?

Players want to play. The coaches want their best players to play. What is the difference between a niggle and an injury? What is the difference between being able to get through it well and being limited to the point where it is a significant reduction in effectiveness. Why isnt there a way to accurately simulate match day loads on the training track?

Aker probably said he would be OK and the coaches heard what they wanted too.

[chef]

Aker might not be the player he used to be, he is still worth more in our 22 than Eagleton. Aker reads the play better, is quicker, is more skillful, and more versitile with the positions he can hold down.

That's still yet to be seen. Who's spot is he going to take with Ward, Higgins and Williams also to come in before him?

[Ghost Dog]

I disagree, IMO Eagleton offers more to the side than Aker(which isn't saying much)



Notice my Avatar here, I'm an Aker Fan, but not as much as you might think. I would rather have Callan Ward in or Williams frankly. Eagleton or Aker? hmmm tough question, but I am not sure about the above comment! Aker was our leading goal kicker last year. Isn't saying much? hardly!

[Ghost Dog]

Can we just take Aker at his word - he was not playing well due to the fact he was carrying an injury. If he returns to anywhere close to the form he displayed last year, he is easily in our best 22 - and closer to our best 10.

I know he says some stupid things, but he can play...we were all pretty ready to give Johnno a free-pass for his early season form based on injury - which is all fair enough - but based on his career surely Aker is worthy of the same level of respect?

I agree totally with this. Aker has a pretty bad media brain, but his football brain is pretty solid. He is in our top 10 players on the top of his game at least. Still, it is funny how much Bulldogs fans resent him. I met a lovely old member on the train the other day and he was so anti-Aker.
I think about the failure of Fevola at Brisbane. Off field stuff really can complicate things and I wish Jason would just play the game. But then, it wouldn't be Aker would it?

[chef]

Notice my Avatar here, I'm an Aker Fan, but not as much as you might think. I would rather have Callan Ward in or Williams frankly. Eagleton or Aker? hmmm tough question, but I am not sure about the above comment! Aker was our leading goal kicker last year. Isn't saying much? hardly!

He's not the same player anymore IMO.

But I'll be happy to be proven wrong

[Rocco Jones]

Can we just take Aker at his word - he was not playing well due to the fact he was carrying an injury. If he returns to anywhere close to the form he displayed last year, he is easily in our best 22 - and closer to our best 10.

I know he says some stupid things, but he can play...we were all pretty ready to give Johnno a free-pass for his early season form based on injury - which is all fair enough - but based on his career surely Aker is worthy of the same level of respect?


Players want to play. The coaches want their best players to play. What is the difference between a niggle and an injury? What is the difference between being able to get through it well and being limited to the point where it is a significant reduction in effectiveness. Why isnt there a way to accurately simulate match day loads on the training track?

Aker probably said he would be OK and the coaches heard what they wanted too.

Some great posting there mjp.

Either way we are stuck with him to the end of the year and I am not a huge fan of cutting your nose to spite your face.

[Ghost Dog]

I honestly don't think he will get his chance to prove himself. Look at the quality players we have coming in. There were a couple of times this season where he got burned off so bad by younger players. It's the pace that is missing. He would be ideal in a forward pocket but he will never get a slot now, and maybe lost the respect of the playing group? Does anyone close to the club have a view on this?

Still, if anyone needs a refresher on how good he played last year go to youtube and see some highlights.
A great player. Still is IMO

[LostDoggy]

For what it's worth, I think a fit Aker in our side is more preferable to the Eagle. I think he still has a lot to offer our club, and it is unfortunate that his off field antics seem to cloud people's judgement about him. He still is a great player (one I hated when he was with BrisVegas, but love him now!):p

[boydogs]

There were a couple of times this season where he got burned off so bad by younger players. It's the pace that is missing.

Hopefully this comes back when his hamstring injury heals

[LostDoggy]

Where's Moles, and Roughie.
Who needs interchange when The Beard, Will & Roughy could swap between Ruck Forward & Back???????

[Sockeye Salmon]

My question is if he was injured why was he playing?

MJP, being in football circles at a higher level than most do you think the match commitee would've pressured Akermanis to play injured?
I tend to recall after the 2008 season he mentioned playing injured also and that's why his early form was poor.

I know players play injured but surely if Aker said I need a rest the match commitee would've listened?

Moles got cut by Geelong because they considered him soft because he always pulled out of the side whenever he had a niggle.

All players play with injuries at some stage. The judgement call is knowing when it is bad enough to say, "I'm out".

[Swoop]

In Aker's time at the club he has always been willing to put forward an excuse for any performance issues he has, I have no doubt he believes these excuses whether they're correct or not.

These are a few that I can think of off the top of my head to name a few.

Too heavy
Too light
Trained too hard
Played injured
Played in wrong position
Played sick

[Go_Dogs]

I was just having a look at the history of the WOOF best players award, and thought it was worth noting in this thread that we voted Akermanis as our second best player in both 2008 and 2009.

I certainly think, at his best, there is a role for him in our current side. I think he'll play his best football inside the F50 where we can get real value for every touch. He's lost a few yards, and his fitness must be an on-going concern, and thus, not being a part of the midfield rotations should allow him to see out the season in good condition.

We know he's good on the lead, and at the feet of a taller player. His vision, decision making and ball use are all fantastic, arguably still the best at the club. He can also work solidly on the defensive aspects of the game.

He's got a bit to prove, but he could still be the key piece of the puzzle in September. No doubt, after a couple of perhaps disappointing finals series for him, he'll be very keen to atone and end on a big note.