Jason Akermanis Biography

Allen Christensen wants to prove Jason Akermanis and other critics wrong after producing the best pre-season of his career.

The Brisbane Lions midfielder has shed nearly five kilos since Akermanis took aim at him last year.

"Hopefully I won't be getting potted from Jason Akermanis this year," Christensen said.

"Looking back on it now, I probably wasn't in the greatest shape. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt me a little bit.

"All I wanted to do was go out there and try and play my best footy. It's in the past now and hopefully I can prove a few people wrong this year."

Essendon appoints Dan Jordan to their last vacant coaching position, confirming Jason Akermanis has missed out on a return to the AFL.

Jonathan Brown has thrown his support behind former teammate Jason Akermanis as the 2001 Brownlow medallist pushes to crack the AFL's coaching ranks.

"He was always very big on skills and working on his skills. He'll be a tremendous sounding board for young players," Brown said.

"He'll also be able to help with some of the exterior stuff of being an AFL footballer as well.

"He's worked really hard at North Albury the last couple of years. He's got that outside perspective, and I think well done to him."

Outspoken former player Jason Akermanis hopes to join Essendon as a development coach and says his past controversies should not be held against him.

"That's a long time ago now - half a decade ago since I played," Akermanis said.

"My opinions and the way I go about things as a coach are completely the opposite to when I played.

"I'm a completely different person doing a completely different role."

Now in his third season of coaching North Albury, Jason Akermanis says he is more to join AFL coaching ranks.

"I don't just coach the team. In many ways that's the easy part. I'm also the sprint coach, weights coach, psychologist, physiologist, nutritionist, recruiter, marketer, and I pump up the balls before training ... you don't get a better grounding than that. I'm miles ahead of your average AFL line coach," Akermanis said.

"A lot of guys already in the system won't make a difference but I guarantee I will. The stuff I can contribute can have an immediate impact on any team."

Jason Akermanis is inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Akermanis said coach Leigh Matthews turned him into a star by forcing him to compete against the likes of skipper Michael Voss, Simon Black and the hard-nut Scott twins – Brad and Chris – at training.

"We all know Leigh, and Leigh is probably one to say that he could be a bit mean occasionally," Akermanis said at Thursday night's induction ceremony.

"I knew if I could match those guys, that it would be OK. I was never fearful (of an opponent) after that.

"Leigh would always make sure I was ready to take those opponents on and, maybe it was just fun for him, it made me a better player."

After leaving the Lions under difficult circumstances, Daniel Bradshaw and Jason Akermanis will take steps towards healing old wounds by attending the club's 10th anniversary of its Three-Peat Premiership era.

Jason Akermanis' appointment as senior coach of the North Albury Hoppers has rejuvenated the club, according to president Paul Spencer.

"We've had more than 50 blokes on the track every night before Christmas, whereas in previous years we would have been lucky to get 25," Spencer said.

"At the end of the day we finished on the bottom last season. But I think with the recruits we've managed to attract and the enthusiasm in the place I'd say finals would be our least expectation."

Jason Akermanis starts his coaching career with North Albury announcing that he will take over as captain-coach in 2013, and possibly 2014.

"Over a long time I saw how the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs went about things and what made them successful," Akermanis said.

"So you'd think that means I might know something about the game and what it takes to help a team achieve a bit of on-field success.

"Despite what some people might think, and my good friends will tell you about this, I've always thought a lot about the game and had firm ideas on how it should be played. I'm looking forward to putting some of those ideas into practice."

Former AFL star Jason Akermanis finishes 14th in maiden Aussie Racing Cars start for Erebus Motorsport.

"The racing was just sensational right throughout the weekend. It was an amazing amount of fun," he said.

"I learned so much from that first session and then just continued improving as the weekend went on.

"The fellow racers were so helpful in assisting me to improve, and to get into the top 15 at weekend's end was a pretty good achievement, I thought."

Jason Akermanis says he has no issues with the Brisbane Lions despite not being able to attend their inaugural Hall of Fame function at Crown casino.

"I'm happy to go to most functions ... this year all the reunions and such have been while I have been racing and playing so it kind of hasn't worked," Akermanis said.

"I love all the Lions stuff now. All my teammates are all mates now. I'm happy to go back."

Jason Akermanis admits he crossed the line after writing an article in 2006 critical of the team's game plan while at the Brisbane Lions, thereby damaging his relationship with his coach at the time, Leigh Matthews.

"The relationship that broke down wasn't really with the players, it was with Leigh," he said.

"It was the one time I really pushed the wrong button. He (Matthews) took it personally and so he should have."

Jason Akermanis tells Mike Sheahan, on Fox Footy's Open Mike, that he was a victim of "open bullying" before he was sacked from the Western Bulldogs.

"When I sat out there and had all my teammates sitting there like some kind of great judges that were going to reign down awfulness if you don't agree to what they do," Akermanis said.

"I've never seen such open bullying ... this was on a big scale. I had this little faction that's causing me great grief and they're in the leadership group."

Jason Akermanis has offered his services to GWS who have remained lukewarm towards his advances.

In a message to GWS general manager of football operations Graeme Allan two weeks ago, Akermanis said: "Hi Gubby, I am still playing and in good condition. I am the best in the business for game-sense and promotion.

"Give me a ring if you want to talk serious about getting the biggest drawcard in the game."

Sacked Western Bulldogs star Jason Akermanis has signed to play with Tasmanian state league team Glenorchy in 2011.

Jason Akermanis calls for Bulldogs chief David Smorgon's head,  amid a furore over controversial comments made by departed Lions player Justin Sherman who was critical of the culture at Brisbane.

"That is very predictable behaviour. It's exactly what I've been saying that they shouldn't do because it's not good leadership, but they think it is," Akermanis said.

"This guy is speaking from the heart. Big deal. I've been there and done that on exactly the same trip as him and I heard the same spiel. It's almost like a complete lack of understanding of the real world and how it works."

Jason Akermanis will not be invited to the Western Bulldog's best-and-fairest count.

"The disappointing thing is that I gave my heart and soul to the club for best part of four years. I wanted to help this group get to where it is, and then they didn't want my help," a disappointed Akermanis said.

"It would have been nice, after 325 games and a lot of giving, to have some respect given on some levels."

Former Bulldog Jason Akermanis denies reports that he publicly named three AFL players he claims used illegal drugs during a speech in Mildura.

"What happens in question and answer time is I do about 45 minutes to an hour and then we have a break and (the audience) can ask me any questions," Akermanis said.

"When they ask me and they say Jason we've heard rumours about this guy, or this guy doing drugs, and I say the same thing, I have heard those same rumours and generally you have."

Rodney Eade says Brad Johnson has been behind the side's climb up the AFL ladder, rather than the burden Jason Akermanis makes him out to be.

"The facts are, in the six-week period from round 14 to 19, not counting the Geelong game, Brad was No.1 in the competition for score assists," Eade said.

"He was No.4 in the competition for the number of marks, seventh in the competition for marks on the lead. He's averaging 19 disposals, eight marks, four inside 50s and three goal assists a game with 80 per cent efficiency with his disposals.

"They're enormous stats, and I think the media as well hasn't seen how well Brad has been playing, and all those stats back up what we know - that's he's been in very good form."

Sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis says former teammate and captain Brad Johnson is hurting the team by playing injured following a 101-point demolition at the hands of Geelong.

"I know he's been injured all bloody year, he's been hobbling around," Akermanis said on MTR radio.

"But you talk about team, don't tell me that it's not being selfish when this guy keeps going out there when he's costing his team, because he clearly can't do anything on defence."

Ben Cousins says sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis should have handled his departure from the Western Bulldogs with more grace.

"It is disappointing for Aker that he hasn't left the game probably in the way that he deserves and certainly in the way his talent deserves,'' Cousins said.

"(Leaving a club) is a really testing time. One of the things that I was proud about the way I handled that situation. I don't think the club was 100 per cent right and I don't think, definitely I wasn't. I didn't have to come out and take shots at people that I wasn't necessarily happy with and thought they had done the total right thing by me. There was nothing to be gained by it. I had to put my hand up and take responsibility for the part I played in it, which was a pretty big one."

Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson says Jason Akermanis' sacking was entirely the latter's fault despite Akermanis claiming that Johnson was responsible a player revolt that led to the termination of his contract.

"We've got our trademarks that we live by on a day-to-day basis and we will not go outside of that as a team," Johnson told radio station Mix 101.1.

"If someone does we will sit them down and we will give them a chance and in Jason's case get the trust back within the football playing group.

"It was decided we get a few more players in just to get their thoughts on whether or not he had regained the trust within the playing group. There was 100 per cent consensus that that hadn't been achieved."

Sacked Bulldog Jason Akermanis says his former skipper Brad Johnson played a large role in bringing about the end of his career.

"Brad said in a meeting to the group, 'Now, if you were to play with a player and this player was going to write negative stuff about you, would you want to play with him?'" Akermanis said.

"That's the most loaded question I've ever seen. Of course, 100 per cent said, 'Of course, I wouldn't want to play with him'. He's made an assumption about ... something I've had no chance to even talk to him about."

Jason Akermanis sensed something was brewing at Whitten Oval but never imagined his AFL career would end so suddenly.

"I didn't see it coming at all. There was something strange up; there was no one talking to me, they were being very cagey with some things and it's been like that all week," Akermanis said.

"They weren't being honest and open with me, as they claim they should."

The Western Bulldogs announce that Jason Akermanis is no longer playing for the club.

"Jason has been a very good player for our club ... but recent events have made the relationship between Jason and the Western Bulldogs untenable," Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon said.

"Over the last 18 months, Jason has been involved in a number of incidents in which matters confidential to the inner sanctum of our football department and players have been the subject of inappropriate disclosure on their behalf outside the club."

The AFL Players' Association expresses regret with the termination of Jason Akermanis' contract with the Western Bulldogs.

"The AFL Players' Association is disappointed that the Western Bulldogs and Jason have not been able to resolve their differences and that the Bulldogs felt they had no other option but to take this unilateral action," a statement read.

"It's very unfortunate that a Brownlow Medallist and Premiership champion's career appears to have ended this way. We hope that when people look back on Jason's career that they foremost remember him for his mammoth achievements on the field."

Jason Akermanis says he is frustrated at not being able to make his way into the senior team but will not reveal the reasons why.

"Yes I'm frustrated absolutely," he said.

"I've gotta keep that between us, the match committee and myself, as to why I'm not playing. Then I go and hopefully play another good game in the twos."

"Can I just say that I go out into the cold and I train and I work hard and then I go and play my two games at Williamstown, done everything that they have asked me to do and then don't pick it. I can't really say why I'm not in the team."

The Bulldogs have apologised to St Kilda for derogatory comments made by Jason Akermanis when the Bulldog forward called Saints-listed player Alistair Smith a "dribbler who can't play at all, who can't kick" when the two were opposed in the VFL.

"To say what he said was very disappointing, because I watched the game and ... the kid did a very good job," Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said.

Jason Akermanis ignores an ultimatum by the Bulldogs' to choose between football and the media by appearing on radio station MTR.

"I am here because I am a contracted employee of this station and I am a contracted footballer and it doesn't affect my football," Akermanis said on MTR.

"I can do this as well, I can do columns, I've been doing that for years, there's nothing out of the ordinary there. Getting my form back is all in front of me ... I have to play a lot better than I have been."

The Western Bulldogs have suspended Jason Akermanis for two matches and banned him from media work for three weeks.

"I think it's a good outcome for everyone at the club and myself - and that is what we do here; we are a very supportive group," Akermanis said of the club's decision.

"I can't really say what I expected except that we wanted an outcome that was mutually beneficial for everyone and I think that's exactly what's happened."

Jason Akermanis says an injury, and not off-field controversy, is the reason for his recent drop in form.

"The real issue is that I'm playing injured and I've been doing it for seven weeks," Akermanis said.

"I've got nerve damage in my hamstring. I'm sick of getting bashed over the head and trying to help my team when I'm injured."

Jason Akermanis may be suspended by the Western Bulldogs after the controversial veteran revealed he was entirely responsible for his homophobic column in the Herald Sun where he recommended that gay footballers remain in the closet.

"We just want to get all the circumstances together and have a closer look as a club. Then we'll work out how we're going to deal with it," general manager of football James Fantasia said.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott knows from his playing days that Jason Akermanis has a habit of putting his teammates under pressure and believes he has done it again after a controversial article in the Herald Sun where Akermanis states that gays in AFL clubs should remain in the closet.

"He's put more pressure on his teammates," Scott said as North Melbourne prepare to play Akermanis' club, the Western Bulldogs.

"Aker's had a history of responding fairly well when he is under pressure, but I know his teammates wouldn't be happy, and I know that first hand."

Jason Akermanis says gay footballers should remain quiet about their sexual preferences in an article written for the Herald Sun.

"The world of AFL footy is not ready for it. To come out is unnecessary for a lot of reasons," Akermanis wrote.

"Imagine the publicity associated with a current player admitting he's gay. It would be international news and could break the fabric of a club."

Sydney Swan Adam Goodes has disputed Jason Akermanis' belief that it would be difficult for a gay player to come out.

"I'd like to think the environment isn't [homophobic]. Does that mean there aren't guys who are gay in our football competition? If you look at statistics purely on the blokes that we have, there probably are a couple," Goodes said.

"Whether or not they're too scared to come out, hopefully it isn't the environment they're in [that is stopping them]."

The Western Bulldogs release a statement stating that the club disagrees with Jason Akermanis' views on gay footballers.

"The Western Bulldogs are a progressive, community-based organisation that prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming," the statement read.

"Jason Akermanis' article is based on his opinion and by no means does he speak for the club or AFL players as a whole."

"The club do not agree with the views expressed by Jason Akermanis in relation to the potentially negative impact an openly gay footballer would have on a club."

Sydney Swans coach Paul Roos has labelled Jason Akermanis' comments about gay footballers 'irresponsible and bizarre'.

"Football clubs are very different environments. Locker room nudity is an everyday part of our lives and unlike any other work place," Roos wrote in a column for News Limited.

"I believe it would cause discomfort in that environment should someone declare himself gay."

Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Jason Akermanis's claim that AFL clubs are not ready to embrace an openly gay player is incorrect.

"There's some comments there we don't agree with, no doubt," Eade said.

"I think maybe Jason was trying to put a point across in a different way. It's certainly created some discussion, which has probably got it on the table a bit and we can debate and talk about it and maybe get some positive outcomes."

Western Bulldogs veteran Jason Akermanis has called for the League to rotate the Anzac Day match amongst other teams apart from just Collingwood and Essendon.

"I am totally against what is happening tomorrow," Akermanis said.

"Not because it wasn't a great idea by Kevin Sheedy, but Kevin Sheedy, you don't own that idea. Anzac Day is Anzac Day. There must be a rotation system."

Outspoken Bulldog Jason Akermanis confirms that Port Adelaide's Kane Cornes is a stager but says he isn't alone in acting for free kicks.

"Unfortunately for Kane he's been doing it for many years and he's not the only one ... and the players know [who they are]," Akermanis said.

"Didak, I mean these kind of guys, you've got Leon Davis. And the umpires know it and they detest it."

This is the year the Bulldogs could break their premiership drought according to forward Jason Akermanis.

"This is the window, we spoke about it last year as well. There's not too many years when we can get that group [of players] in their late twenties," Akermanis said.

"St Kilda will be saying the same and Geelong still think they're in it, so there's a number of teams that know that time is running out, but from our point of view we would have liked to have won it last year, but we've got to look at this year."

Western Bulldog Jason Akermanis has his doubts as to whether Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola can work together in the Brisbane Lions' forward line saying that Daniel Bradshaw was a better complement for Brown.

"Bradshaw was a great sort of swingman for 'Browny' and 'Browny' was happy to play the lead role," Akermanis said.

"What will happen if two guys are playing the lead role? 'Hang on man, this is my show'. I know they are both very dominant guys, so they're both going to want their piece of the pie."

Western Bulldogs forward Jason Akermanis has committed to a new one-year deal with money playing no part in his decision.

"I am just excited to go again for another 12 months. It's a real bonus," he said.

"You are retired for a long time and I still feel I can play a valuable role for the team up forward and at times on the ball.

"Football has never been about the money. It has been about the thrill and enjoyment of winning. That is the most important thing for me."

The Western Bulldogs may not know for several weeks if the revised contracts they have offered to veterans Nathan Eagleton and Jason Akermanis will be accepted .

"We've let both boys know we'd like them to play on next year, and we're in the process of putting some detail around what that might look like," football operations manager James Fantasia said.

"We've got a bit of time up our sleeve. We don't need to lodge the list for three weeks, so it could hold out until then."

Jason Akermanis will finish his career at the Bulldogs on a significantly reduced wage.

"The Dogs didn't plan for him to play on so they didn't budget for Aker, but he is willing to commit to the club at whatever money they have left in the cap," Akermanis' manager Rick Olarenshaw said.

"He understands he has been well rewarded financially throughout his footy career and now he just wants to help the Dogs win a premiership."

The Western Bulldogs have confirmed that Brad Johnson will be asked to play on in 2010, but a decision is yet to be made on Jason Akermanis and Nathan Eagleton.

Jason Akermanis is revealed to have been drunk and in a state unfit to go to the 2009 Brownlow Medal presentation.

"I picked him up and we were on our way to (Brad) Johnson's - I had his suit with me - and he was just not in a state to be seen in public at all," Akermanis' wife Megan told radio station Nova.

"He was a little sleepy. We were in the car and he said 'I can't go' and I said 'you shouldn't go'. So we turned the car around and went home."

Bulldogs supporters are willing to dig deep in a fundraiser if it will keep Jason Akermanis at the club.

Craig Stephens, managing director of Yarraville real estate agency JAS Stephensand the man behind the fundraiser to get teenager Jamason Daniels to the club last year, says he will do what it takes to keep the veteran forward at the Bulldogs.

"All it will take is one call from Rodney Eade and we'll rustle up a night to get Aker across the line," Stephens said.

"Last year, I got a phone call from Rodney at the 11th hour and within seven days we organised a night before the rookie draft.

"Don't worry, we can't afford to lose someone like Aker if he wants to play on."

Jason Akermanis says he's not responsible for giving the Queensland NRL team swine flu.

"I don't think they got it from me. I was sick last week, but I didn't tell anyone. Unfortunately, half my teammates are sick, so I apologise," he told Nova 100.

"The doctors don't seem to be concerned. They rang me and I said ˜I'm fine. I was a little sick last week' and they said ˜Ah, don't worry about it."

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Jason Akermanis has been cleared of having swine flu.

"He didn't have swine flu," Eade said.

"I didn't know he had anything, to be honest, but two or three players had a bit of a nasal block early in the week. They're all fine."

Jason Akemanis has called on the Tigers to appoint his former teammate Craig McRae as their caretaker coach.

"Wayne Campbell was an assistant coach over with the Western Bulldogs ... he would be a fine inclusion, David King knows his stuff. Craig McRae is a personal friend of mine, he would be my favourite, only because he's had his own team. He's done very, very well, he's a very, very switched on man when it comes to footy," Akermanis said

Jason Akermanis has dropped a bombshell before his 300th game, declaring Leigh Matthews refused to acknowledge a crippling injury in his last year as a Brisbane Lion.

"That was the toughest period of my career," Akermanis said.

"There is nothing worse than wanting to run but it just felt like something was going to tear," Akermanis said.

"My muscles felt like crepe paper. I told them about the injury, but Leigh didn't care. "

The Brisbane Lions have finally had enough of Jason Akermanis, and have said so publicly with Brisbane coach Michael Voss demanding that Akermanis explain comments about the Lions made to the media.

Akermanis accused former teammates Justin Leppitsch and Mal Michael of being petty and snubbing his 2001 wedding because they felt he didn't deserve his Brownlow that year.

"Our fundamental philosophy is that our club is our people - eventually you have to sit there and say `you can't possibly take that'," Voss said.

Jason Akermanis is set to play his 300th game on Friday night, and says he would consider playing on next year if the Bulldogs wanted him.

"Never say never. When you get over 30, any year can be your last," Akermanis said on Tuesday.

"In the end, it's generally a decision that's made for you by the powers that be. Every player gets judged the same way.

"It doesn't matter your age: what are you going to give to the group, and is there a guy now in the list that is going to be able to take over that role?

"Last year I was getting that feeling it may have been my last, and I was just being realistic."

Being the crucial ingredient in the Dogs' win against Melbourne has sparked speculation about Aka's future.

"I think this year I've played a lot better than last year and no doubt, with the extra weight (last year), I just couldn't run like I normally could," Akermanis said.

"This year it hasn't been an issue and I've really enjoyed the fact that I can get up the ground and get back and my defensive pressure has been my biggest improvement from the last two years."

Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says the club and Jason Akermanis may have to rethink the veteran's retirement plans after some recent terrific form.

"His form the whole year's been very good," Eade said.

"At the start of the year there was no discussion at all about that and Jason made it known it'd be his last season, so there's been no discussion."

Jason Akermanis has been suspended for one match for tripping Eagle Mark Nicoski.

Jason Akermanis has been cleared to play in the Bulldogs' season-opener and will be nursed towards 300 games in his final season.

WESTERN Bulldogs Jason Akermanis says listening to his ageing body has him in perfect shape entering what could be his farewell season.

The Western Bulldogs' Round 1 side is taking shape after Jason Akermanis, Robert Murphy and Mitch Hahn returned to action in the club's practice match.

Jason Akermanis has had an injury setback, stalling preparations for his farewell season by up to six weeks.

Jason Akermanis's confidence was dented - but not for long - after he rolled a Mini several times in a celebrity race on Saturday.

Jason Akermanis, in an interview with radio station SEN, says he believes that tanking for draft picks occurs.

"My opinion, I think it does (happen), I think it's very difficult to prove. How they get away with it - players know nothing, of course - coaches get away with it with mismatches, it's as simple as that," Akermanis said.

"If the AFL thinks it's not happening, or thinks it doesn't happen, or it couldn't happen in the past then it will happen in the future. They have put their head in the sand.

"I've seen sides win the last game of the year and destroy a chance to get a priority pick and you want to see the crap that that's caused within clubs. The coach and stuff, they're put in very tough positions. That's why, at the moment with the AFL, that's where the problem is.

"I think it can happen. I think it has happened. I think the main problem is it's more attractive to lose. Simple as that. Once it's more attractive to lose at a certain point of the year, that's when you see the losses happen. It's going to happen in the next few months. Losing is more attractive."

Akermanis apologizes to Michael Braun for implying that the West Coast midfielder had used performance-enhancing drugs when he failed to keep up during a match in Brisbane.

"I apologise to him without any reservations. I am truly sorry for the hurt and trouble I have caused him. I just hope one day he can forgive me for the trouble I have caused," Akermanis wrote on the Bulldogs' website.

Braun was awarded damages of $60,000 and an apology by the Seven and Fairfax Radio Network after his name was leaked to the media as the subject of an earlier article written by Akermanis for the Herald Sun.

Jason Akermanis says that the pre-season NAB cup should be scrapped.

"This pre-season competition won't go away quickly or quietly because the AFL makes good money from it," Akermanis said.

"But in realistic terms I think we play such a long brutal season perhaps a couple of games is enough.

"The players are the ones that have to say we only want two games max."

Jason Akermanis signals his intentions to begin a coaching career once his playing days are over.

"I'd love to coach my own side in the VFL and be an assistant coach at an AFL club, that's the ideal way.

"I'm really confident I could do a good job," Akermanis said while indicating that even now as a player, he is always finding new opportunities to learn about coaching.

"I'm learning all of the time and the more chances I get to present, whether it's helping out in meetings or tackling, I really want to do that, so I can get those skills that you're going to need."