Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

[AndrewP6]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

Even so, I suspect he will be less of a distraction outside the club.

I think he'll be far, far worse. The shackles are off, he doesn't have the slightest need or obligation to keep quiet. The excrement is about to touch the cooling device...

[AndrewP6]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

Love him but I guess it had to happen, I hope he does the right thing from here.

Trouble is, the right thing now for him doesn't have to take the club into account. He has form in this department. And they knew that too.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I think he'll be far, far worse. The shackles are off, he doesn't have the slightest need or obligation to keep quiet. The excrement is about to touch the cooling device...

I think that whatever comments he makes, may not be taken so seriously nor will they have a long half-life. How much of the mud that he slung Brisbane's way resonated or gained traction in the ensuing weeks following his demise there? How much of it was given credence?
I seem to remember that the overwhelming thought in the media was that he looked like a bit of a dill with alot of sour grapes and that his demise was all of his own making.

The only negative that I recall was that the media said that when Aker was playing well, his indiscretions were overlooked by the Lions , but as soon as his form waned the club frowned on it.

I think his credibility this time round is even less, given this is the second club that has found his behaviour so corrosive to the team that they have felt compelled to take the drastic action to remove him.

That the club felt it was a lesser of two evils to remove him now in-season knowing full well the media focus that would ensue and the potential for more Aker barbs to come out, speaks volume about how badly they felt the situation had become. They must've considered that the alternative - keeping him on the list for the rest of the year would've been even worse to deal with.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I think that Aker could've played an important role in the finals. It's sad to see it end like this. Now he will probably be bashing the club in the media for the rest of the season.

I don't! I think Aka circa 2003 could have made a difference and probably won a flag off his own boot, but Aka circa 2010 couldn't. This year he looked slow, both in terms of leg speed as well as his footy brain. All him playing out the year would have done is created a distraction. I doubted he would be able to force his way back in....who would you drop? Higgins......form not the best, but still better than Aka's; Gia......has had a great season so far. Eagleton......different type of player to Aka and for mine still offers us something.

End of the day I applauid the club for making a call......if he wants to bash the club then so be it, he wont be the first and probably wont be the last. What he needs to remember though that it was our club who threw him a lifeline when his AFL career was over 3 years ago.......our biggest mistake though was not calling time on him at the end of last season!

[LostDoggy]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

Whats the most dissapointing is the "alleged" bulldog members and supporters who are bagging out the club over this

So, if we disagree with the club's decision that makes us "alleged" members and supporters?!!!

Sorry, but I won't drink the Kool-Aid, and just blindly accept everything the club does and says. I will remain open-minded, and wait till I hear both sides of the story. Plus, it's not like our club hasn't made bad decisions before.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I think that whatever comments he makes, may not be taken so seriously nor will they have a long half-life. How much of the mud that he slung Brisbane's way resonated or gained traction in the ensuing weeks following his demise there? How much of it was given credence?

I think it'll be magnified, given the fact it's happened twice, his non-selection has become a saga (which media outlets love), and the fact that it happened in footy-mad Melbourne.

I think his credibility this time round is even less, given this is the second club that has found his behaviour so corrosive to the team that they have felt compelled to take the drastic action to remove him.

And yet they faffed around when THAT article came out, before tolling out a punishment which he served, and then claiming his continued non-selection was due to "on-field" issues. All gives him even more ammunition.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I think it'll be magnified, given the fact it's happened twice, his non-selection has become a saga (which media outlets love), and the fact that it happened in footy-mad Melbourne.

And yet they faffed around when THAT article came out, before tolling out a punishment which he served, and then claiming his continued non-selection was due to "on-field" issues. All gives him even more ammunition.

I expect it to get heavy rotation over the next few days, but so far (and that may change) most media comments I have heard seem to be favourable.

With regards to the faffing about after the article. I think the club did what any club would do, that is, back their player publically when he said that the words had been changed without his knowledge. Aker then put them in an embarrassing position when he later retracted that bit, leading to his sanction.
I thought the club handled that well.
His continuing non selection was about other issues that he was progressing. He chose his course of action.
And I think it's fair enough for the club to say it was for on field issues that he was no being selected. To say otherwise would've been unfair to all parties, and would've been hypocritical in terms of the club sticking to it's major gripe with Aker ie not divulging in club matters.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I expect it to get heavy rotation over the next few days, but so far (and that may change) most media comments I have heard seem to be favourable.

With regards to the faffing about after the article. I think the club did what any club would do, that is, back their player publically when he said that the words had been changed without his knowledge. Aker then put them in an embarrassing position when he later retracted that bit, leading to his sanction.
I thought the club handled that well.
His continuing non selection was about other issues that he was progressing. He chose his course of action.
And I think it's fair enough for the club to say it was for on field issues that he was no being selected. To say otherwise would've been unfair to all parties, and would've been hypocritical in terms of the club sticking to it's major gripe with Aker ie not divulging in club matters.

I think my issue with the way his penalty was handed down was that they could've done it quicker than it was done. What were the "other issues" re: his non-selection? I only heard Eade say it was 'on field' stuff. I understand your point about why the club would've publicly said it was on field stuff, I just think personally, to take umbrage with someone for lying, and to then lie as to why they're not playing is in itself hypocritical.I'm sure you won't agree - I've had others tell me this is silly, but it's just my feeling. A lie is a lie is a lie, IMO.

The media will be all over it, more so than the recent "Will he/won't he play?" stuff, and that can't be good for the club at this crucial point in the season. They'll be after Aker, and of course he'll oblige...and we'll get dragged into it again and again. Ugly times.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

So, if we disagree with the club's decision that makes us "alleged" members and supporters?!!!

Sorry, but I won't drink the Kool-Aid, and just blindly accept everything the club does and says. I will remain open-minded, and wait till I hear both sides of the story. Plus, it's not like our club hasn't made bad decisions before.

Too many here are happy to support the club's decisions without scrutiny. The club has not been given the right PR advice throughout the whole Aker saga, all the way back from the gay footballer article. We continually fed the media hype and I believe the Dogs share some of the responsibility of creating this beast.

Another troubling issue is the amount of power that is wielded by our 'leadership' group. There may be an adverse shift of power into the hands of the leadership group which may set a dangerous precedent for the future. What is stopping this group from ostracizing other players for lesser crimes?
In my opinion this would be the worst outcome. Have we have created a 'clique' of sorts that could make demands of coaches and administrators that need upholding as they become the critical power base in the club?

Final point is on the ROD we have built for our backs in terms of the scrutiny our performances from here on will attract. I believe anything less than winning a flag will leave the club open to attack about the prudence of our decision making.

There are definitely negative repercussions for the club from this affair, and I really hope we come out of this looking better and our leadership group 'standing up' on the field.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

So, if we disagree with the club's decision that makes us "alleged" members and supporters?!!!

Sorry, but I won't drink the Kool-Aid, and just blindly accept everything the club does and says. I will remain open-minded, and wait till I hear both sides of the story. Plus, it's not like our club hasn't made bad decisions before.

fair comment.
Healthy debate attacks the ball, not the man.

2PotScreamer, AndrewP6, these are interesting posts and points. Enjoyed reading them. Food for thought,

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I've been in situations where a person's presence has become so toxic it was unbearable.
Regardless of how talented they were or how 'fair' you were trying to be, the person's very presence became almost palpably cancerous.
I'm guessing this is what eventually happened with Aker.
I thought it would be great to have him for the finals, especially the Grand Final but if the situation had become toxic the whole club would have suffered.
Leigh Matthews and Rodney Eade aren't idiots.
I think our playing group is very stable and mature.
I can only back them on this decision.
Loved Aker when he was good. But......................

[AndrewP6]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I've been in situations where a person's presence has become so toxic it was unbearable.
Regardless of how talented they were or how 'fair' you were trying to be, the person's very presence became almost palpably cancerous.

We all work with someone like that. We don't all have the luxury of banding together and ousting them!

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

I think my issue with the way his penalty was handed down was that they could've done it quicker than it was done. What were the "other issues" re: his non-selection? I only heard Eade say it was 'on field' stuff. I understand your point about why the club would've publicly said it was on field stuff, I just think personally, to take umbrage with someone for lying, and to then lie as to why they're not playing is in itself hypocritical.I'm sure you won't agree - I've had others tell me this is silly, but it's just my feeling. A lie is a lie is a lie, IMO.

Sorry, the other issues I was talking about were Aker's off field issues, which he kept going. Eade did in a way allude to it, if not directly when he said there were 'other boxes that Aker needed to tick off". I think that was the most diplomatic way he could've broached the subject, without actually stating the specifics. It's mealy-mouth to be sure, but I'm not sure how else he could've put this given the circumstances.

Fair call on the lenght of time it took for the club to hand down it's penalty, it would've been better had action been more swiftly taken. However If what Gerard Whately was saying tonight on his Foxtel show is true , the club were keen to sack him there and then, but legal opinion suggested that they might be in some trouble at that time, and that they had to build a more compelling case. All seems a bit Machiavellian if true.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

We all work with someone like that. We don't all have the luxury of banding together and ousting them!

Do you wish you could?

[AndrewP6]

Re: Aker press Conference at 4:45 PM

Do you wish you could?

Every day.