Dogs their own worst enemy: Aker

[Sedat]

http://westernbulldogs.com.au/tabid/...x?newsid=60236

By Ben Casanelia
10:12 AM Mon 26 May, 2008

WESTERN Bulldog star Jason Akermanis was under no illusion as to what cost the Dogs victory against North Melbourne in yesterday's Telstra Dome thriller.

"There was a bit of selfish footy with blokes trying to win off their own bat and go away from the team stuff," the 276-game veteran said.

"When that happens and we miss too many tackles then we become our own worst enemy.

"No disrespect to them (North Melbourne) because they played really well, but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot and making mistakes."

Other than Brad Johnson's now-famous after-the-siren miss, the Bulldogs failed to take their chances on a few occasions in the last quarter.

Johnson also missed two gilt-edged opportunities during that hectic final term, while costly turnovers through the middle of the ground also hurt the side.

A bitterly disappointed Akermanis could not hide his disappointment.

"It was a game we feel we should have won and should have iced early," he said.


"We had lots of shots at goal and missed some easy ones and that kept them in the game."

The triple premiership player said the Dogs, like the Brisbane sides in the early part of the decade, had to develop a killer instinct.

"We've got to get better at that," he said. "When we're up we got to put the foot down and keep going."

The Dogs led by four goals at half time but were outscored nine goals to five after the main break by a Kangaroo side inspired by the 250th appearance of favourite son Brent Harvey.

Akermanis said Harvey's milestone played no part, rather the trip to Perth last week and the fact the side had been up for so long might have shaved the edge off the third-placed Dogs.

"I've always felt that if we play our best footy then we are hard to stop and today was a good example of that," he said.

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Thought the highlighted bit was interesting. Aker loked shell-shocked after the siren. He really cares about the club's fortunes.

[LostDoggy]

Is he talking about Johnno?

[Mantis]

Is he talking about Johnno?

Of course he is....

[bornadog]

Is he talking about Johnno?

Also Cross and Welsh running through the corridor and stuffing up when seemingly we were heading towards a kick into the forward 50.

[hujsh]

Also Cross and Welsh running through the corridor and stuffing up when seemingly we were heading towards a kick into the forward 50.

Apparently Acker was on his own then as well.

To me Acker is more often than not the victim of selfish play and is one of the least selfish players we have imo.

[Go_Dogs]

Apparently Acker was on his own then as well.

To me Acker is more often than not the victim of selfish play and is one of the least selfish players we have imo.

Yes, his ability to get to good spots is still sometimes missed. I think this is more so due to the fact that he has a license for a bit of freedom, and subsequently can often bob up in places where teammates aren't expecting.

Either way, hopefully the side can address this issue and really have a self sacrificing game this week against the Hawks.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Yes, his ability to get to good spots is still sometimes missed. I think this is more so due to the fact that he has a license for a bit of freedom, and subsequently can often bob up in places where teammates aren't expecting.

Either way, hopefully the side can address this issue and really have a self sacrificing game this week against the Hawks.

It's staggering how often Aker is in the right place at the right time. It's genius. And he is not a selfish player. I'm really warming to him. He won the game for us against freo and honestly he could have won the game against North. Yes I'm talking about Johnno. Not attacking him or blaming him, I love the man but yes, Aker was there and Johnno should have given it to him.

[Tugun Goalsneak]

Don't blame Johnno for the loss - Games are not won or lost by the last kick of the game.We should not have let North head us in the last quarter, and I can't comment on individual performances because the game was not televised here in Qld. At least Johnno put himself in the action and was providing us with heaps of scoring opportunities, unfortunately the footy gods were not with him on Sunday. The point is that we have to get tougher in tight situations, and keep the lead rather than trying to come from behind all the time.
it was a particularly devastating loss for us because we could have been sitting in 2nd position with a 10 point buffer between us and 4th position. After R9, this would have almost certainly guaranteed us a top 4 finish.
Hopefully Rocket Rod gave the boys a real payout after the game, we just need to toughen up a bit in the tight contests, after all there will be a lot more close matches this year - starting with a close win over the Hawks next week - holding on to our lead rather than coming from behind.
Go doggies!

[GetDimmaBack]

Don't blame Johnno for the loss - Games are not won or lost by the last kick of the game.We should not have let North head us in the last quarter, and I can't comment on individual performances because the game was not televised here in Qld. At least Johnno put himself in the action and was providing us with heaps of scoring opportunities, unfortunately the footy gods were not with him on Sunday. The point is that we have to get tougher in tight situations, and keep the lead rather than trying to come from behind all the time.
it was a particularly devastating loss for us because we could have been sitting in 2nd position with a 10 point buffer between us and 4th position. After R9, this would have almost certainly guaranteed us a top 4 finish.
Hopefully Rocket Rod gave the boys a real payout after the game, we just need to toughen up a bit in the tight contests, after all there will be a lot more close matches this year - starting with a close win over the Hawks next week - holding on to our lead rather than coming from behind.
Go doggies!

Fair point, Tugun.
Coming from behind is always a roll of the dice - much better to hold the lead than try to win it back.
Having said that, if Johnno had goaled, he'd be a genius and we'd be happy!
Pain is a teacher, and I guess we all need to learn...

[ledge]

One week at a time, your only as good as your last game,we will learn from this, what cliche?

[LostDoggy]

Ok name names and circumstances. I don't believe many humans at all accept mediocrity, its just a BS saying that you like.

Which dogs supporters, players & officials of the past?
You are confusing a badly run club and people with their own agenda.

[ledge]

axiom?? a little ray of sunshine??

[GetDimmaBack]

axiom?? a little ray of sunshine??

Little Ray of Sunshine - one of my best mates in the old days!
Did you know him too, Ledge?

[LostDoggy]

No need to send me private messages on this matter.
I didn't know "Danny from Droop Street" on the Coodabeens... or Mark Alvey were an authorities on human behaviour.
Its still all rubbish, peception is not always reality and being happy is with an ok season doesn't mean you have accepted mediocrity.