Jason Akermanis back from the outer

[BulldogBelle]

Aker's article this week...

Jason Akermanis back from the outer (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jason-akermanis-back-from-the-outer/story-e6frf9ox-1225882960947)
Jason Akermanis | Herald Sun | June 23, 2010

MY life in football has been no different to a normal marriage with a lot of good times, some challenging ones and the inevitable compromise.

Over almost 16 years I have made many investments in the two teams I have played for and have received a lot of support.

I want to win at any cost and when I do something I want to be the best.

Whether it is a footy game, a newspaper column, a radio co-host or on TV, I want it to be worthwhile, fun and engaging.

Sometimes I make mistakes and sometimes people take things way too seriously, but that is football life in 2010.

The last time my football marriage broke up was 2006 when I parted company with the Brisbane Lions. It was hard to take. After 12 years and 248 games the best decision was made by all to have a divorce.

It was public and like most arguments the fans took one side or another. I had my supporters and so did the coach in Leigh Matthews.

Click HERE (http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/jason-akermanis-back-from-the-outer/story-e6frf9ox-1225882960947) to read the remainder of the article...

[LostDoggy]

A pretty honest and insightful article by Aker and I seriously hope that he is able to win back the trust of his teamates - for what it's worth - he has mine!

[Desipura]

A pretty honest and insightful article by Aker and I seriously hope that he is able to win back the trust of his teamates - for what it's worth - he has mine!
I cant tell when he is being honest anymore......

[The Coon Dog]

I stopped reading it after the 15th 'I'.

[Doc26]

Would also like for Jason to see some value in winning back the trust of the Club's supporters. Have been a long time fan and backer of Jason but he's losing my support fast. His recent article makes reference to me, myself, & I ~ 45 times. He makes reference to 'Team' but too many roads seem to lead to his own self importance / indulgence.

[LostDoggy]

I totally Agree - way too many I's me etc. Lets see what the future holds for him

[Mantis]

I wonder if Aker has spoken to the playing group (or even just the leadership group) since the 'fallout' a few weeks back. Gia hinted that he hadn't seen much of him recently after Sunday's game so I would have hoped that he had addressed some of the issues he raised in this piece before putting it to print.

If he hasn't... meh.

[Mantis]

The shrinking violet that is Aker was in over-drive on MTR this morning.

Aker: I'm in the top five (http://www.sen.com.au/display-article/Aker-Im-in-the-top-five/11004)

Click the title above for the entire article, but I did like this piece:

'"I'm in their best ten," Akermanis said.

"I'm in their best eight. I'm in their best five, when you're up and playing, and playing well."

"That is a non-issue. For me, I do the penalty. Hopefully, with any luck, be able to come back and help the side. That is the bottom line."

-----

Aker is on drugs if he thinks he honestly believes this. Cooney, Griffen, Lake, Boyd & Hall would be in our top 5 on this years performances, up to atleast another 10 would be mentioned before you get to Aker.

[mighty_west]

The shrinking violet that is Aker was in over-drive on MTR this morning.

Aker: I'm in the top five (http://www.sen.com.au/display-article/Aker-Im-in-the-top-five/11004)

Click the title above for the entire article, but I did like this piece:

'"I'm in their best ten," Akermanis said.

"I'm in their best eight. I'm in their best five, when you're up and playing, and playing well."

"That is a non-issue. For me, I do the penalty. Hopefully, with any luck, be able to come back and help the side. That is the bottom line."

-----

Aker is on drugs if he thinks he honestly believes this. Cooney, Griffen, Lake, Boyd & Hall would be in our top 5 on this years performances, up to atleast another 10 would be mentioned before you get to Aker.

Gotta love his confidence, even though that is an extraudinary statement for Aker to make, if he was top 5, there would be no issues what so ever in going around again next season, just like Barry Hall will be doing at the age of 34, but he won't be, because he is just about cooked, and UNFORTUNATLY he has showed that with form over the past year & a half.

[Mantis]

I'm interested to know why he used the term 'their' rather than 'our' when referring to his ranking within the team.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

I wonder if Aker has spoken to the playing group (or even just the leadership group) since the 'fallout' a few weeks back. Gia hinted that he hadn't seen much of him recently after Sunday's game so I would have hoped that he had addressed some of the issues he raised in this piece before putting it to print.

If he hasn't... meh.

Aker's fall from grace has been very swift. Maybe the Club erred in having him play on beyond 2009. If his physical wellbeing and mindset was right then you would want him playing finals football given his outstanding record. On the other hand if his attitude around his teammates is poor then you would want to think twice about the rest of the season. His form last year was excellent but it is fair to say be it injuries or whatever he has struggled to reproduce at his normal standard on the field this season.

[LostDoggy]

I'm interested to know why he used the term 'their' rather than 'our' when referring to this ranking within the team.

Says a lot doesn't it. He is outside the group looking in, not part of it.

[LostDoggy]

His form last year was excellent but it is fair to say be it injuries or whatever he has struggled to reproduce at his normal standard on the field this season.

IIRC he was pretty spent by the end of last year though. Didn't have much impact in the finals.

[Doc26]

Marking him on his verbal display on Team ethos, after 3 weeks in the wilderness he sounds at least that and more away from a return to the 22. Who knows, his papers may well have been marked anyway, to be used as an example to others of what happens when you elect to go it alone. Have we seen Aker play his final game with the rest left to media street ?

[LostDoggy]

I think Aker will fit in nicely at Williamstown. After all, with the way they are travelling he may well add a VFL premiership to his trophy cabinet.

[BulldogBelle]

A pretty honest and insightful article by Aker and I seriously hope that he is able to win back the trust of his teamates - for what it's worth - he has mine!

Aker is Aker, I have always been a big fan. He stuffed up but hey I am not about to hang him - everyone makes mistakes, some more than others. Hopefully, he does get back into the team and ends his final year on a happy note.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Really disappointing.

Always been a big Aker fan and was over the moon when we signed him to the Dogs. I really hope things can turn around and he can be a big part of our Premiership push, but it's really looking unlikely.

Still think he's done this club more good than harm. Seems he went on for a year too long but I hope this doesn't turn into a verbal storm after he's finished.

[Mantis]

Still think he's done this club more good than harm. Seems he went on for a year too long but I hope this doesn't turn into a verbal storm after he's finished.

If by bagging out the club allows Aker to remain in the media in some form then there is no doubt he will have some parting shots.

[chef]

I stopped reading it after the 15th 'I'.

Same.

[Hotdog60]

The best thing he can do for himself is to get his body right, get some form in the VFL and finish off his career in better form than last year.

Leave on a high so that all will remember that he was a very good player.

[azabob]

-----

Aker is on drugs if he thinks he honestly believes this. Cooney, Griffen, Lake, Boyd & Hall would be in our top 5 on this years performances, up to atleast another 10 would be mentioned before you get to Aker.

Interesting grab from Eade on the Channel 2 news, he was at a press conferance and was told what Aker said about being in the top 10,8, 5 players at the club. Eade went on to say something along the lines

I guess theres a bit of a reality check in there.

Day by day it may just get harder and harder for Akermanis to play senior AFL football again.

[Flamethrower]

Once again Jason is being hung out to dry by the scumbag media misquoting him.

I listened to Jason on MTR this morning and he said that at his best he is in our best 15, probably even our best 10 and maybe our best 5.

[Ghost Dog]

Would also like for Jason to see some value in winning back the trust of the Club's supporters. Have been a long time fan and backer of Jason but he's losing my support fast. His recent article makes reference to me, myself, & I ~ 45 times. He makes reference to 'Team' but too many roads seem to lead to his own self importance / indulgence.

I counted 34. So he is a bit arrogant. Top players often are. What he does on the field counts more than his articles. But it is starting to get to a point where maybe the club just don't need him now and can cut their losses.....

[Ghost Dog]

I'm interested to know why he used the term 'their' rather than 'our' when referring to his ranking within the team.

Good point. Bulldogs are a close knit bunch. Well noted. That's really disappointing from Aker.

[Ghost Dog]

Aker is Aker, I have always been a big fan. He stuffed up but hey I am not about to hang him - everyone makes mistakes, some more than others. Hopefully, he does get back into the team and ends his final year on a happy note.

Yeah, look I agree with this. . Hey, he didn't lure anyone back to his apartment and try partner swapping or anything like that now did he ( Halo slipping saints!).
The game is a bit more interesting with characters like him around, love him or hate him.

Youtube, highlights reel for reminders on the kind of player we are talking about. Maybe not top 5, but certainly in our best 22.

[AndrewP6]

Aker is Aker, I have always been a big fan. He stuffed up but hey I am not about to hang him - everyone makes mistakes, some more than others. Hopefully, he does get back into the team and ends his final year on a happy note.

Yeah, what she said... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[AndrewP6]

I counted 34. So he is a bit arrogant. Top players often are. What he does on the field counts more than his articles. But it is starting to get to a point where maybe the club just don't need him now and can cut their losses.....

Very common trait amongst highly successful sportspeople....

[LostDoggy]

Aker is Aker, I have always been a big fan. He stuffed up but hey I am not about to hang him - everyone makes mistakes, some more than others. Hopefully, he does get back into the team and ends his final year on a happy note.

I know what you mean up to a point but the way he has been behaving this year is just simply unprofessional, I can't think of any other word to describe it. Why should there be one set of rules for everyone else and one for him?

[AndrewP6]

A very reasonable article, I thought. To those bagging him for the perceived over-use of personal pronouns - the articles are written by him, about his experiences. He has to use "I" and "me"! He's also been isolated from the group, and I don't blame him for feeling it. If he wrote an article using 'them', 'they' , people would accuse him of being bitter, laying blame etc.

[LostDoggy]

Aker, if you do happen to read this, it's time to give the media away till October and start thinking about "US". It's not Me Myself & I. It's about the team. Your so called "Team Mates & The Club & Supporters"
I for one would love to see Aker back at his explosive best, But I do believe it is time he had a rest from the media, and concentrated on being an integral part of OUR TEAM