Stefcep
24-07-2010, 07:27 PM
Flag saved his bacon, says Matthew.
FORMER Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has revealed Jason Akermanis would have been sacked after the 2003 grand final had the Lions lost.
Akermanis had disclosed on the eve of the match that Nigel Lappin would play against Collingwood with broken ribs.
"If we'd lost the 2003 grand final, Aka would never have played for the Lions again,'' Matthews said. ''That's how savage the reaction would have been - but we won it so you kind of move on.''
Akermanis booted five goals and was voted second-best afield behind Simon Black as the Lions clinched their third flag in a row.
Matthews and Akermanis would have a major falling-out in 2006, with Aka leaving the club before the season ended and eventually being traded for draft pick No. 34 to the Bulldogs.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/flag-saved-his-bacon-says-matthews-20100723-10oxp.html
I get it now. If a player kicks 5 goals and wins a Grand Final off his own boot, then "what we stand for as a club" goes out the window. Interesting that Aker said as much on TFS. And what did Matthews and the "leadership group" do for the next 3 years when around Aker. Act two-faced as if nothing's wrong?
I lost respect for Matthews after he broke Bruns jaw-the smallest guy on the field- who didn't have time to see Matthews coming, and never said a word of regret to Bruns for years after.
FORMER Brisbane Lions coach Leigh Matthews has revealed Jason Akermanis would have been sacked after the 2003 grand final had the Lions lost.
Akermanis had disclosed on the eve of the match that Nigel Lappin would play against Collingwood with broken ribs.
"If we'd lost the 2003 grand final, Aka would never have played for the Lions again,'' Matthews said. ''That's how savage the reaction would have been - but we won it so you kind of move on.''
Akermanis booted five goals and was voted second-best afield behind Simon Black as the Lions clinched their third flag in a row.
Matthews and Akermanis would have a major falling-out in 2006, with Aka leaving the club before the season ended and eventually being traded for draft pick No. 34 to the Bulldogs.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/flag-saved-his-bacon-says-matthews-20100723-10oxp.html
I get it now. If a player kicks 5 goals and wins a Grand Final off his own boot, then "what we stand for as a club" goes out the window. Interesting that Aker said as much on TFS. And what did Matthews and the "leadership group" do for the next 3 years when around Aker. Act two-faced as if nothing's wrong?
I lost respect for Matthews after he broke Bruns jaw-the smallest guy on the field- who didn't have time to see Matthews coming, and never said a word of regret to Bruns for years after.