All Final Aker Discussions

[weevil]

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=283048

Lions and Aker part company
4:25:00 PM Sun 23 July, 2006
Ben Wise
Sportal for afl.com.au

It appears that Jason Akermanis has played his last game with the Brisbane Lions after the club revealed on Sunday that the controversial triple-premiership player has been granted a leave of absence for the remainder of the season.

The Lions were responding to a request from Akermanis's manager Ricky Olarenshaw to relieve the outspoken star of his duties with the club.

The arrangement means that Akermanis will not play or train again with the Lions in 2006.

While Brisbane has declared that the long-term future of the Brownlow Medalist will be decided after the season, it is highly unlikely that the club will continue on with a player who publicly declared he wants out of the Leigh Matthews-coached team.

Akermanis and the Brisbane Lions have reached a mutual agreement not to make further comments on the situation.

[Lady Lawrence]

Now it is all over let's keep the discussions here. Our board is over run with so many threads and there is so much other stuff to talk about.

[Warwick]

All Final Aker Discussions....



That makes it sink in. This is the end. We will never see him play for the lions again. Really, really sad.

[Vidman]

Now it is all over let's keep the discussions here. Our board is over run with so many threads and there is so much other stuff to talk about.

Might I request a tribute thread? Similar to when someone retires, limited to the good times only? I'd like to relive the good times a bit.

[campbell]

Might I request a tribute thread? Similar to when someone retires, limited to the good times only? I'd like to relive the good times a bit.
Like those amazing in the wet against geelong goals, how good was that .

[NUMBER1LIONSMAN]

Whilst at the Brisbane Lions Vs Hawthorn game I was horrified to hear several Brisbane Lion supporters/members are threatening to cancel thier memberships and not to return to the gabba until Akermanis is Back in the Brisbane Lions side and a truce has been made with him and the Brisbane Lions apparently up to 8'000 members are going to boycott the rest of the Brisbane Lions games until Akermanis returns for the lions.

Now dont get me wrong I am saddened by Aker's departure from the club but for so called Lions supporters to Threaten to cancel thier memberships and not to turn up to watch the Lions games is just ridiculous. We will miss Akermanis he was a great player But he did break the rules and will have to deal with the consquences. To see these so called Brisbane lions supporters going around with partitions and asking you for your signature to support Akermanis's case. It just made me sick to the gut.

WE ARE ALL UPSET BUT TO BOYCOTT GAMES IS JUST RIDICULOUS!!!!

:thumbsd: :thumbsd: :thumbsd: :thumbsd:

[Grimreepah]

I heard he's chosen to have shoulder surgery.

[don vito of fitzroy]

It's a shame that this ending has occured. I have lost respect for Matthews and Voss after this scenario.

Vossy, you have to learn how to make up your mind.

[Grimreepah]

The Brisbane Lions released the following statement in regard to the immediate future of player Jason Akermanis this afternoon:

“After a request from Jason Akermanis’ agent Rick Olarenshaw that Jason be granted a temporary leave of absence, the Brisbane Lions Football Club and Jason Akermanis have mutually agreed that Jason be relieved from his obligations to prepare for and participate in AFL or AFLQ State League matches in accordance with his Standard Playing Contract, effective immediately and up to and including the end of the season.

At the end of the season the parties will meet to review Jason’s position with the Club.

As this matter involves the AFL Rules, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Jason’s Standard Playing Contract and complex legal issues, the Club, Jason Akermanis and his Agent have mutually agreed that there will be no further public comment in relation to this matter at this time.”

[Lady Lawrence]

I have just spent the last couple of hours cleaning up a heap of stuff. Zero tolerance on this board with regards to bagging our club pretty much applies to opposition supporters. I can however understand your frustrations if a Lions supporter is constantly bagging but they have a right to voice their opinion whether you or others agree with it or not. The Aker issue has brought a lot of emotions to the fore and people are either one side or the other, there is little middle ground. Whilst it is painful to see our in fighting the flip side shows how passionate we all are about our club.

Here's a thought for everyone. If we feel this way imagine how the rest of the playing group will have felt reading it all and not knowing the truth etc.

Anywhoo with all the innuendo and suppositions now finalised with the news that it is all over and Aker is gone, we may all now settle a bit. We must all now agree to disagree on some issues and move forward.

I cannot remember a time in the Brisbane Lions history (post merger) when we as supporters have been so torn over issues. I can remember heated debates over Carey and Liberatore, but nothing to get us this fired up. It will bring us all closer together, of this I am sure. Look where we ended up last time after we got through the merger and the wooden spoon!

[fugitive]

It's a shame that this ending has occured. I have lost respect for Matthews and Voss after this scenario.

Vossy, you have to learn how to make up your mind.

What makes you say that?:confused:

[don vito of fitzroy]

What makes you say that?:confused:They have been getting stuck into him left right and centre but at the moment, it looks like that Lethal and Vossy are saying what they're really feeling. It looks like they're covering their backsides and leaving Aka in the cold.

[Grimreepah]

They have been getting stuck into him left right and centre but at the moment, it looks like that Lethal and Vossy are saying what they're really feeling. It looks like they're covering their backsides and leaving Aka in the cold.

Covering their backsides from what?

And what does Voss have to make up his mind about?

[beatnik]

Like those amazing in the wet against geelong goals, how good was that .

yep, they were special - i was lucky enough to be sitting almost directly above Aker's goals on the boundary

the look on his face was priceless - as if to say "you cant even pick up the pill and i can do that"...it drove the final stake through the heart of the cats

he was playing on a different plane that day and i hope that i am not caught on the wrong end of a display of Aker magic like that...i'll take great joy seeing him play well against other teams but never against us

i have always been a big aker fan and the recent experiences have not dimmed my appreciation of him as a footballer and all he has given to the lions over many years

that said, my allegiance is with the club - not vossy, not leigh, not aker, just the lions

in my books, if a player is not 100% in, they are 100% out - no matter how much you like that person or how skilful they might be

the best coaches all seem to say that and the best teams all seem to operate that way

i hope we continue to operate that way

peace

[Melbourne Lion]

yep, they were special - i was lucky enough to be sitting almost directly above Aker's goals on the boundary

the look on his face was priceless - as if to say "you cant even pick up the pill and i can do that"...it drove the final stake through the heart of the cats

he was playing on a different plane that day and i hope that i am not caught on the wrong end of a display of Aker magic like that...i'll take great joy seeing him play well against other teams but never against us

i have always been a big aker fan and the recent experiences have not dimmed my appreciation of him as a footballer and all he has given to the lions over many years

that said, my allegiance is with the club - not vossy, not leigh, not aker, just the lions

in my books, if a player is not 100% in, they are 100% out - no matter how much you like that person or how skilful they might be

the best coaches all seem to say that and the best teams all seem to operate that way

i hope we continue to operate that way

peace

Amen Brother,I agree:thumbsu:

[Grimreepah]

Article (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19926261-23211,00.html)

"The door on a possible return for the reigning club champion was slammed and bolted shut on Tuesday by 12 pairs of hands belonging to the Lions' match committee and the senior player group.

It is understood the match committee which comprises Matthews, football manager Marcus Ashcroft and assistant coaches Shaun Rehn, Craig Lambert, John Blakey and Daryn Cresswell, plus the senior player group of Voss, Power, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin Jonathan Brown and Chris Johnson, were unanimous that Akermanis had lost their trust."

[John]

This may belong in the Hammo files but "believed to be Luke Power,"
"It is understood the match committee"

Anyway beatniks post sums it up for me. These quotes from the article grim posted back beatniks post "Akermanis offered to say sorry to the team and expressed his desire to play out the season, but could not commit to honouring the final year of his contract."

And further down the post "His inability to commit to next season was also believed to have weighed heavily in the group's decision."

I for one will be glad when this sorry saga is over.

[Jumpin' Jimmy]

No matter which way you look at it this is such a sad, sad way for things to end up. http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19926262%255E20322,00.html

12-0: Lions rule out Akermanis
27 July 2006 Herald-Sun
Andrew Hamilton

JASON Akermanis will never play for the Lions again after a 12-0 vote against him at a special meeting.

It was decided that Akermanis's offer to apologise to his teammates was not enough to salvage his position at the club.

The door on a possible return for the reigning club champion was slammed and bolted shut on Tuesday by 12 pairs of hands belonging to the Lions' match committee and the senior player group.

Akermanis's career as a Lion will end on 248 games.

There will be no farewell lap of the Gabba or a final handstand in front of his adoring fans.

He departs as one of the Lions' most decorated players having won three premierships, a Brownlow Medal, two best-and-fairests and four All-Australian jumpers.

But he also leaves with a degree of infamy for being unwanted by his own teammates.

Coach Leigh Matthews on Monday likened the situation of Akermanis being granted leave until the end of the season to a marriage separation and said after a break the two parties might decide life was better when they were together.

The meeting was called after Akermanis contacted Matthews and a senior player, believed to be Luke Power, on Monday evening to gauge the possibility of returning to see out the remainder of the season.

Akermanis was prompted to make contact after Matthews and captain Michael Voss both made public comments indicating an apology to the team, for breaching team rules and speaking about sensitive issues to the media, could reverse the current situation.

Akermanis offered to say sorry to the team and expressed his desire to play out the season, but could not commit to honouring the final year of his contract.

It is understood the match committee which comprises Matthews, football manager Marcus Ashcroft and assistant coaches Shaun Rehn, Craig Lambert, John Blakey and Daryn Cresswell, plus the senior player group of Voss, Power, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin Jonathan Brown and Chris Johnson, were unanimous that Akermanis had lost their trust.

His inability to commit to next season was also believed to have weighed heavily in the group's decision.

The 2001 Brownlow medallist was informed on Tuesday night that there was no chance of a return, even if the Lions make the finals.

With his career as a Lion over, Akermanis visited a doctor yesterday to discuss plans to have shoulder surgery.

The Lions will now work with Akermanis and his manager Rick Olarenshaw to find a suitable trade.

Until Akermanis is signed by another club, his contract will be honoured by the Lions.

[Ceebee]

Somewhere along the line Jason has lost touch with reality, it is a shame when that fine line gets crossed. His mates in the Media have a lot to answer for. I actually feel very sorry for him and am sorry it has all ended so badly.I wish they would just leave it alone now.

[Vidman]

No matter which way you look at it this is such a sad, sad way for things to end up. http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19926262%255E20322,00.html

Diabolical

[Homer Jnr]

If the column is true, and Aker did extend the olive branch, doing what he was told would give him every chance of playing again, and we slammed the door in his face, we should be ashamed. Simply not good enough.

[konstas_87]

it is a shame he couldnt just duck-tape his mouth closed for 2 more games of senior footy, can u imagine... Akers 250th... at the Gabba... we'd get close to 40000...
Its a real shame the fans dont get to fairwell him as they would have if he'd done this all properly...
Oh well things dont always turn out the way u want, itll be ridiculous in rd 2 next year when some fans that have seen 2 hrs of him play for them are celebrating his 250...

[The Flying Belgian]

If the column is true, and Aker did extend the olive branch, doing what he was told would give him every chance of playing again, and we slammed the door in his face, we should be ashamed. Simply not good enough.

I don't think anyone can stop him apologising. What he gets out of it may not be what he wants. So, is he only offering to apologise so he can play again, or is he actually sorry? If it's an empty apology then I wouldn't want it.

Sounds like he's trying to strike a deal - I'll say I'm sorry and I can play again.

However, no one should stop him from apologising if he feels he should. I think he owes his teammates that much.

As for the lap of honour, it doesn't appear any decision has been made on that. That's just supposition on the part of the author (and not for the first time!). I would like to think that he'd be given that right.

[TheBrownDog]

If the column is true, and Aker did extend the olive branch, doing what he was told would give him every chance of playing again, and we slammed the door in his face, we should be ashamed. Simply not good enough.


Depends if Aker's apology was heartfelt or if it was just a token gesture to play again.

[campbell]

I thought he was told via the media, that if he apoligised, it would be ok, all forgiven or something similar.

[John]

Strange how this was a thank you thread and Jimmy and Homer turned it into something differant. And boys I will not take a bex.

[POBT]

If the column is true, and Aker did extend the olive branch, doing what he was told would give him every chance of playing again, and we slammed the door in his face, we should be ashamed. Simply not good enough.
Homer Jnr, you have now openly criticised a major decision that has clearly been made by the club's coaching staff and senior playing group. Can I ask why you would continue to support the club? This is a legitimate question and is not an attack. I don't think I could continue to support the club if I shared your very vehement point of view and am interested in why you can. Is there a part of you that at least thinks, "Hang on, guys like Vossy and Browny are normally very sensible people. Why don't they want Aker back? There must be a pretty good reason."

When I see a unanimous decision amongst the likes of Matthews, Voss, Brown, Lambert et al, I tend to trust that it is the right decision.

2 general comments:

- Hammo wrote the article....
- This thread wasn't designed to discuss the Aker issue so maybe the posts that comment on the controversy (including this one) should be moved to another thread. I don't see why the link to Hammo's article needed to be posted on a thread that was designed to allow football fans to express their thanks to Aker, irrespective of their viewpoint on this year's controversies.

[Homer Jnr]

Homer Jnr, you have now openly criticised a major decision that has clearly been made by the club's coaching staff and senior playing group. Can I ask why you would continue to support the club? This is a legitimate question and is not an attack. I don't think I could continue to support the club if I shared your very vehement point of view and am interested in why you can. Is there a part of you that at least thinks, "Hang on, guys like Vossy and Browny are normally very sensible people. Why don't they want Aker back? There must be a pretty good reason."

When I see a unanimous decision amongst the likes of Matthews, Voss, Brown, Lambert et al, I tend to trust that it is the right decision.

2 general comments:

- Hammo wrote the article....
- This thread wasn't designed to discuss the Aker issue so maybe the posts that comment on the controversy (including this one) should be moved to another thread. I don't see why the link to Hammo's article needed to be posted on a thread that was designed to allow football fans to express their thanks to Aker, irrespective of their viewpoint on this year's controversies.

You missed the very first word of my post... 'IF'.

Taking into consideration that it is a Hamilton written piece, it is only 50/50 that most of it occured, althought the club should have that pooh-poohed by the end of the day if anything was out of line.

Yes, there is a degree of trust to be had there when players and staff of such calibre make a decision. But as has been shown by this issue, how many didn't want to rock the boat for fear of retribution? They would have been disagreeing with Matthews and co, and to some, they may have feared for it.

Not everything is as black and white as Aker saying things, Matthews saying "You're a naughty boy, go to your room and think about what you have done", and it happening again and Matthews finally saying he has had enough. Nothing is ever that black and white.

EDIT: Thanks LL! :)

[Homer Jnr]

Strange how this was a thank you thread and Jimmy and Homer turned it into something differant. And boys I will not take a bex.

Yeah, I put it on the wrong thread, I apologise.

But don't think you can pointscore off one error. That'd be petty.

[Lady Lawrence]

Strange how this was a thank you thread and Jimmy and Homer turned it into something differant. And boys I will not take a bex.

no need for the bex i've moved the posts as you can see

p.s. what is/are bex?

[POBT]

You missed the very first word of my post... 'IF'.

Taking into consideration that it is a Hamilton written piece, it is only 50/50 that most of it occured, althought the club should have that pooh-poohed by the end of the day if anything was out of line.

Yes, there is a degree of trust to be had there when players and staff of such calibre make a decision. But as has been shown by this issue, how many didn't want to rock the boat for fear of retribution? They would have been disagreeing with Matthews and co, and to some, they may have feared for it.

Not everything is as black and white as Aker saying things, Matthews saying "You're a naughty boy, go to your room and think about what you have done", and it happening again and Matthews finally saying he has had enough. Nothing is ever that black and white.

EDIT: Thanks LL! :)
Homer, let's assume for the moment that Hammo has reported it correctly. It still means club champions, our greatest player and other significant personnel from the merged club's short but great history all believe this is the right decision. My question stands: why would you keep supporting the club? I'll put it this way, if I were as passionate about Aker as you are, I don't think I could support the club anymore. You believe the club should be ashamed - I just don't understand continuing to follow the club and want to know why you can.

Incidentally, I am speaking from experience when I say that I cannot continue to follow a club that has done something so major to a player that I am embarrassed and ashamed by it. At least Aker hasn't been sacked by a club who then proceeds to play its games from a stadium that has a statue of him out the front......

[POBT]

p.s. what is/are bex?

Lleyton's wife???

[Ceebee]

Would be interesting to know how this meeting and it's outcome became public knowledge ,it is after all written by Mr Hamilton but how did he know about it ?

[Homer Jnr]

Homer, let's assume for the moment that Hammo has reported it correctly. It still means club champions, our greatest player and other significant personnel from the merged club's short but great history all believe this is the right decision. My question stands: why would you keep supporting the club? I'll put it this way, if I were as passionate about Aker as you are, I don't think I could support the club anymore. You believe the club should be ashamed - I just don't understand continuing to follow the club and want to know why you can.

Incidentally, I am speaking from experience when I say that I cannot continue to follow a club that has done something so major to a player that I am embarrassed and ashamed by it. At least Aker hasn't been sacked by a club who then proceeds to play its games from a stadium that has a statue of him out the front......

I'll go out on a limb... Were you alluding to King Wally?

The club is the people who don't pull on the jersey week in and week out and perform on the field. I respect the players above anyone off the field, they put in plenty from a young age to be out there, and they are living their dreams, and to be honest, everyone who supports the games' dreams.

It is at the stage where I am 100% behind supporting the playing group, because they make sacrifices and work their bums off all year.

BUT off the field, where all the politicking takes place, I simply can't agree, for the reasons I have stated. Nothing will change that, so there is no need for John, Reepah and co to sit here for 3 days slamming it.

When the changes off the field occur that actually change the off-field fabric of the club, I will switch from supporting the team, to supporting the club. It is hard for me to say that, as in the past and up until recently, I have loved the club, but it is hard to show loyalty when they can't. I don't agree with them, much the way they don't agree with Aker, and whilst I will still always feverishly support the boys in our jersey, I dont believe the suits deserve the satisfaction of seeing me there doing so and taking my money, when I don't agree with them.

That is my personal stance.

[Homer Jnr]

Would be interesting to know how this meeting and it's outcome became public knowledge ,it is after all written by Mr Hamilton but how did he know about it ?

IF true, the leak is one of the 12, and it is possible Aker was not the leak that many have wanted him to be.

IF it isn't, we should know sometime today surely as the club would hose it down quickly.

[campbell]

Would be interesting to know how this meeting and it's outcome became public knowledge ,it is after all written by Mr Hamilton but how did he know about it ?
That would be interesting, as Aka wasn't there I assume, so someone else leaked it.

[POBT]

Correct on Wally. I had followed Parramatta through family history but felt no strong ties. But when Queensland finally got a team in the NSW comp, I felt duty bound to follow the Broncos and from the first game I was hooked. To then witness what they did to Queensland's greatest ever player was shameful. I had no qualms in divorcing myself from the club and it has only been with time that I have stopped hating the Broncos. But I will never follow them (club or team) again because of what they did to Wally.

I reckon this situation must be exactly the same as what you are going through. But I would have to say that I could not distinguish between the club and the team. In the Broncos case, the team had nothing to do with what happened to Wally but I still couldn't follow them. In this case, you have a group of our greatest players all coming out against Aker (effectively). At the very least, their failure to support Aker is enlightening. I would find it even harder in the present circumstances to follow the team when the best players have all done (or supported) something that I considered was shameful and not good enough.

Supporting a club does not have to be unconditional nor in perpetuity. At the end of the day, if a club does something to which you are vehemently opposed and you choose to end your association with them, then I respect that. But, I would suggest that it will be difficult for many around here to rationally consider any comments you might make when you have gone on the record that you no longer support the club - I don't think many of us can divorce the club from the team as you have.

[POBT]

That would be interesting, as Aka wasn't there I assume, so someone else leaked it.
You don't think that Aker would have been told about the results of the meeting? No - you are right. They probably just made their decision and then, rather than telling Aker directly, they preferred to leak the decision to the bloke in the media who has demonstrated consistently that he is on Aker's side.

Come on. Aker may not be the leak but don't insult our intelligence by putting up spurious defences.

[Lady Lawrence]

Would be interesting to know how this meeting and it's outcome became public knowledge ,it is after all written by Mr Hamilton but how did he know about it ?

IF true, the leak is one of the 12, and it is possible Aker was not the leak that many have wanted him to be.

IF it isn't, we should know sometime today surely as the club would hose it down quickly.

ermmmmmm remember this.


Voss intends to speak to Akermanis to explain his stance and has not given up hope his triple premiership teammate would make the first move towards a reconciliation by fronting the player group and seeking forgiveness.

"I would love for him to do that," he said. "It would require a lot of courage, that's a hard thing to be able to do, stand up and say you've done something wrong. It would take a big person to do it and I think he'd regain an enormous amount of respect back from the guys if he could do that."

I want some truth somewhere, Vossy is my hero, I lose the plot when he comes near. I don't want to believe he is also a part of this decimation of Jason.

[POBT]

It is interesting. The direct quote from Vossy says that Aker would regain respect from the players if he could admit doing something wrong. It doesn't say that they would accept him back into the playing fold. If he wouldn't commit to seeing out his contract, then the players may have perceived any apology as quite hollow.

[Homer Jnr]

I want some truth somewhere, Vossy is my hero, I lose the plot when he comes near. I don't want to believe he is also a part of this decimation of Jason.

You and me both.

The fact that players names were named also makes me want to think the other 5 had nothing to do with it.

[campbell]

I don't understand, how Ash MCGrath has apprently said he wants to go home to Perth, and he did last year as well.
How come we are not cross with him not being committed to play with us next season or this one in fact?

How is that different.I think it probably happens at all clubs.

All the stuff about Spida and where will he be, comments form everywhere, his club, him , you name it.

[Homer Jnr]

It is interesting. The direct quote from Vossy says that Aker would regain respect from the players if he could admit doing something wrong. It doesn't say that they would accept him back into the playing fold. If he wouldn't commit to seeing out his contract, then the players may have perceived any apology as quite hollow.

I have an idea!

Aker and the senior players should all be locked in a room next Monday following whatever we do recovery and match review wise and not be let out until something is sorted and they all agree on at least 2 more games for him!

No food, no water, just Aker and the senior group.

I'm allowed to dream.

[Pillman]

"All Aker has to do is say he is sorry." - somewhat doubtful.


Reported today in Herald-Sun; "It was decided that Akermanis's offer to apologise to his teammates was not enough to salvage his position at the club."

[Jumpin' Jimmy]

The whole thing is an absolute tragedy. As silly as Aker appears at times one has to think now he had some justification in being so upset with how the Lions were treating him.

The bottom line ought to have been for a private meeting involving Jason, Leigh and at least the core players wherein they each "apologised/regretted/accepted" what had happened. I can understand them not wanting him in the team again this year given he does not want to be there in 2007. The compromise though surely should have been for the club to say "we'll give you a right and proper send-off at our last home game"

[POBT]

I have an idea!

Aker and the senior players should all be locked in a room next Monday following whatever we do recovery and match review wise and not be let out until something is sorted and they all agree on at least 2 more games for him!

No food, no water, just Aker and the senior group.

I'm allowed to dream.
My dream is slightly different. Aker admits all of his mistakes. Lethal admits his mistakes. The club admits it's mistakes. No-one worries about who is more at fault. Everyone shakes hands. Ricky O. presents a contract extension which is eagerly signed by all. Aker goes out and kicks half a dozen goals on the weekend.

Failing that dream coming true, I just wish everyone would move on and stop giving Hammo reasons to keep writing. If the differences are irreconcilable, then let's file for divorce. All this stuff just prolongs the heartache for the rest of us.

[OldLion]

The bottom line is that he wants to position himself in the media as a Dermie type - and that can only be done down south. A regular on the Footy Show, a regular on Breakfast radio, on demand for this and that - the big bucks - and that cannot be done from where he is. The way he's gone about it is .. problematic at best. To tell the world that you basically don't want to play with your 'mates' any more is just immature. Only time will tell if he is the media superstar he hopes to be but we aren't going to die wondering.

He needs to play with a Melbourne team - doesn't really matter if it's successful. It's about him and his future - so forget the Dogs etc. I'd look to the Bombers / Blues / Pies, which then instantly gives him massive support .. and there's no one else in those clubs who will compete for the type of spotlight he craves.

But I hate to think what JB will do to him when they play each other.

[POBT]

I don't understand, how Ash MCGrath has apprently said he wants to go home to Perth, and he did last year as well.
How come we are not cross with him not being committed to play with us next season or this one in fact?

How is that different.
I hadn't realised how similar the Akermanis and McGrath situations are. :rolleyes:

I don't want to be seen to be persistently picking on you but really, that is a silly post. You know as well as the rest of us that the current situation is the culmination of at least 6 months of issues. Surely you can see why Akermanis's situation is completely different to that of any other player expressing a desire to move clubs. I think you should retract your statement.

[Homer Jnr]

My dream is slightly different. Aker admits all of his mistakes. Lethal admits his mistakes. The club admits it's mistakes. No-one worries about who is more at fault. Everyone shakes hands. Ricky O. presents a contract extension which is eagerly signed by all. Aker goes out and kicks half a dozen goals on the weekend.

Failing that dream coming true, I just wish everyone would move on and stop giving Hammo reasons to keep writing. If the differences are irreconcilable, then let's file for divorce. All this stuff just prolongs the heartache for the rest of us.

Aker, Lethal and the club are all too proud.

My option is far more like it. :cool:

[Lady Lawrence]

I hadn't realised how similar the Akermanis and McGrath situations are. :rolleyes:

I don't want to be seen to be persistently picking on you but really, that is a silly post. You know as well as the rest of us that the current situation is the culmination of at least 6 months of issues. Surely you can see why Akermanis's situation is completely different to that of any other player expressing a desire to move clubs. I think you should retract your statement.

I have to disagree with you POBT. You have to look at the situation Jason is in compared to Ash.

Ash has said a couple of times that he want's to go to Perth. If he had the media outlets that Jason has it would be a very similar situation.

There is a lot players say and would or could say if they had those outlets.

Now forgive me if my brain has forgotten it in the massive amount we have absorbed etc but when has Jason ever said he doesn't want to play for the Lions and wants to go to Melbourne. Yes I know there was deliberate possibility stuff planted re the Swans to up his numbers when negotiating the contract (right or wrong doesn't matter). And I think his 5% chance comment has also been miscontrued. He believed he had less than a 5% chance of staying and that 5% hinged on him which I took to mean that the club were 95% certain they didn't want him but if he apologised etc like they quoted in 3 or 4 interviews there was a 5% chance he'd be back.

[leaper]

Now forgive me if my brain has forgotten it in the massive amount we have absorbed etc but when has Jason ever said he doesn't want to play for the Lions and wants to go to Melbourne. .

From the 5% interview.

"Is Melbourne,the city, the only option if you are to leave?

Hypothetically, if you go down that track, I haven't entertained any other cities. And the reason for that is simple. Whenever I finished football, I was always going to be on the first plane to Melbourne to be involved in the media, if not being involved as a coach. "

It might be splitting hairs, that was prior to him being dropped last week. I think it was evident it was his intention especially when he made the comment that

"Me being here next year would be under five per cent, and that five per cent is literally all mine to control".

[POBT]

I have to disagree with you POBT. You have to look at the situation Jason is in compared to Ash.

Ash has said a couple of times that he want's to go to Perth. If he had the media outlets that Jason has it would be a very similar situation.

There is a lot players say and would or could say if they had those outlets.

Now forgive me if my brain has forgotten it in the massive amount we have absorbed etc but when has Jason ever said he doesn't want to play for the Lions and wants to go to Melbourne. Yes I know there was deliberate possibility stuff planted re the Swans to up his numbers when negotiating the contract (right or wrong doesn't matter). And I think his 5% chance comment has also been miscontrued. He believed he had less than a 5% chance of staying and that 5% hinged on him which I took to mean that the club were 95% certain they didn't want him but if he apologised etc like they quoted in 3 or 4 interviews there was a 5% chance he'd be back.
I think the point has been missed. Aker has not been dropped because he won't commit to the club in 2007. The decision makers refuse to allow him to return because he won't commit to the club in 2007. Aker was dropped because of a long list of issues over the course of the season.

The inference in Campbell's original post that the club and leadership group are being unfair to Aker in comparison to Ash is absurd and completely insulting to those involved in the decision making.

If the only issue at hand was that Aker wanted to leave Brisbane, then the comparison with Ash is valid. But that isn't the only issue. Surely that is obvious. We have been inundated with Aker issues all year. It has caused major drama and reflected poorly on everyone. Supporters are split and have taken to cheap comments that are only designed to hurt either each other or the major players in the controversy.

But how many Ash McGrath issues have been raised over the years? Is it fair to compare how the club treats Ash with how it treats Aker? More importantly, has Ash done anything wrong that would warrant indefinite suspension? Like it or not, the club has reached a decision that Aker has.

The original post is a prime example of my criticism of people making statements without being willing to back them up. LL, if you can read any more into Campbell's post than just a snide, vindictive and unsubstantiated attack on names like Voss, Matthews, Black, Power, Lappin, Brown et al, then you are a more trusting person than I.

[The Flying Belgian]

I don't understand, how Ash MCGrath has apprently said he wants to go home to Perth, and he did last year as well.
How come we are not cross with him not being committed to play with us next season or this one in fact?.

Because he hasn't actually said it. Just rumour, This is what I'm talking about campbell. You're taking hearsay and speculation and taking it as truth. If you're going to use these things to back up your viewpoint, please make sure they're accurate.

As for what happens at other clubs... West Coast could name their B&F after Michael Gardiner and I wouldn't give a rats'. What happens at other clubs happnes at other clubs

[irel]

That would be interesting, as Aka wasn't there I assume, so someone else leaked it.

As you seem to be so fond of conspiracy theories that support your narrow view, here's one of mine.

* Aker rang Voss and Luke Power and asked if there is a slight possibility an apology would suffice to get Aker to play out the season without committing to completing his signed contract.

* Luke and Voss subsequently relayed the request and the Match Committee and the Leadership Group met. A lot of discussion re: the merits of Aker's suggestion followed. Everyone would have been given an opportunity to have a say and express their views. Finally a vote of hands may have been requested on the proposition that "Aker's apology be accepted and he return to play until season's end without commitment for next year" The vote was unanimous in rejecting the proposition.

* Subsequently the captain, Voss with whom Aker communicated relayed the situation and the decision that "A simple apology is no longer enough to have Aker back"

* Once hearing this Aker is contacted or contacts Hammo and explains what has just occurred. Hammo sensing an opportunity to prolong this story, orgasms with excitement as his hand struggles on the keyboard while the other works feverishly to relieve the excitement.

Do you get the picture. I have deduced all this from reading the article!

[Homer Jnr]

I like it how immediately Aker is a leak from a meeting he didn't attend. When the simple view is someone who was involved would know and has leaked the info.

But if I was to suggest something that Aker did, but said it was Matthews (for argument sake) who leaked it, then I become the bad guy.

If you want a scapegoat, at least admit that.

If you don't want to expand your mind a little and entertain other possibilities, then don't bother posting on public forums because you will hear plenty of them. Right or wrong, they are out there.

[The Flying Belgian]

I like it how immediately Aker is a leak from a meeting he didn't attend. When the simple view is someone who was involved would know and has leaked the info.


So Jason hasn't yet been informed of the decision then? Obviously he'd know the details of the meeting even if he didn't attend.

I'm not suggesting he's the source of the story necessarily, but you're eliminating him from being so purely on the basis that he didn't attend the meeting. Surely he would have heard about it soon after....

[campbell]

Because he hasn't actually said it. Just rumour, This is what I'm talking about campbell. You're taking hearsay and speculation and taking it as truth. If you're going to use these things to back up your viewpoint, please make sure they're accurate.

As for what happens at other clubs... West Coast could name their B&F after Michael Gardiner and I wouldn't give a rats'. What happens at other clubs happnes at other clubs


The club is aware, as they tried to trade him home last season.They are aware now, as are his fellow players, as he has asked ot be traded.Brown Dog said on here, I think it was.Ash is talking opening about wanting to be playing in WA next season, at WAFL matches in WA at the moment, as he is over there apparently.People on the main board have posted it as well.

So.How come the playing group are not concerned at him not wanting to be there, not being committed to them as a team this season and next?

[campbell]

So Jason hasn't yet been informed of the decision then? Obviously he'd know the details of the meeting even if he didn't attend.

I'm not suggesting he's the source of the story necessarily, but you're eliminating him from being so purely on the basis that he didn't attend the meeting. Surely he would have heard about it soon after....


13 people know about it, 12 were there, so have a precise knowledge of what occured, 1 wasn't.

[Homer Jnr]

So Jason hasn't yet been informed of the decision then? Obviously he'd know the details of the meeting even if he didn't attend.

I'm not suggesting he's the source of the story necessarily, but you're eliminating him from being so purely on the basis that he didn't attend the meeting. Surely he would have heard about it soon after....

Undoubtedly. But having said that, he knows what position he is in, it is extremely unlikely he'd worsen it. And whoever the leaker was knows it is feasible for Aker to be blamed for it, thus strengthening the Lions claims they were right to sack him etc etc.

More to gain from an inside leak than there is for Aker to leak.

[irel]

I like it how immediately Aker is a leak from a meeting he didn't attend. When the simple view is someone who was involved would know and has leaked the info.

But if I was to suggest something that Aker did, but said it was Matthews (for argument sake) who leaked it, then I become the bad guy.

If you want a scapegoat, at least admit that.

If you don't want to expand your mind a little and entertain other possibilities, then don't bother posting on public forums because you will hear plenty of them. Right or wrong, they are out there.

LOL:D :D You have got to be kidding. You post this response? Sorry for laughing at you. I read somewhere that you were the one with some sensibility in the pack.

[Homer Jnr]

LOL:D :D You have got to be kidding. You post this response? Sorry for laughing at you. I read somewhere that you were the one with some sensibility in the pack.

You quite right there?

Care to actually say something intelligent about the post?

With the Mal leak, immediately it was Aker's fault, and now this, people are pinning it on Aker.

Why is everything Aker's fault. He is in the mess, I highly doubt he'd be pulling strings to worsen the situation when he has gone cap in hand to apologise. If you wish to doubt the man's integrity, that is your decision, but does add up to you seeming rather gullible.

[campbell]

I would like to say to our club.

Please be quiet, enough of dragging this through the media.A week has passed and its gets worse by the day.

We are imploding everywhere, its awful to watch our once great club at the moment.

shut the shutters guy, please keep it all in house for goodness sakes.

This makes everyone look bad.

[irel]

You quite right there?

Care to actually say something intelligent about the post?

With the Mal leak, immediately it was Aker's fault, and now this, people are pinning it on Aker.

Why is everything Aker's fault. He is in the mess, I highly doubt he'd be pulling strings to worsen the situation when he has gone cap in hand to apologise. If you wish to doubt the man's integrity, that is your decision, but does add up to you seeming rather gullible.
You still don't get it. Go back and read my post and than read your response. Use a few of your brain cells . If you're still lost, I will be sure who is the gullible one!

[Homer Jnr]

You still don't get it. Go back and read my post and than read your response. Use a few of your brain cells . If you're still lost, I will be sure who is the gullible one!

The fact that it could be anyone including Aker? The fact that Hamilton wrote it means it may have meant that he saw a group of players at Stones Corner Baskin Robbins eating ice-cream and he came up with that?

Mine wasn't directed at you, it was a general overview of how a few people have reacted today.

Nothing is certain as to who did what, that is all.

And to be honest, I don't care about what you are banging on about, I have my opinion, you have yours, neither of us will change them soon, so why worry?

[The Flying Belgian]

The club is aware, as they tried to trade him home last season.They are aware now, as are his fellow players, as he has asked ot be traded.Brown Dog said on here, I think it was.Ash is talking opening about wanting to be playing in WA next season, at WAFL matches in WA at the moment, as he is over there apparently.People on the main board have posted it as well.

So.How come the playing group are not concerned at him not wanting to be there, not being committed to them as a team this season and next?

Who told you they tried to trade him home? BrownDog said he'd heard a rumour. BF should never be used as a basis for a fact-based arguments.

I'd love to see where Ash has stated he'd prefer to be Perth. He may well be, but if he does then the only people he's told is the club. Every trade period the rumour starts up purely because he's from WA. I've never seen any public statement or quote saying he wants out.

[The Flying Belgian]

I would like to say to our club.

Please be quiet, enough of dragging this through the media.A week has passed and its gets worse by the day.

We are imploding everywhere, its awful to watch our once great club at the moment.

shut the shutters guy, please keep it all in house for goodness sakes.

This makes everyone look bad.

Again I'm not saying Aker leaked it, but you seem to be discounting the possibility that he might have. Why? What do you know the rest of us don't.

[The Flying Belgian]

The fact that Hamilton wrote it means it may have meant that he saw a group of players at Stones Corner Baskin Robbins eating ice-cream and he came up with that?

:D

Harsh, but true.

[The Flying Belgian]

13 people know about it, 12 were there, so have a precise knowledge of what occured, 1 wasn't.

Again I ask, Do you think Jason wasn't made aware of what happened at that meeting? And that's assuming what was printed in the paper was accurate which you'd have to doubt anyway.

[Homer Jnr]

In the end, all discussion about the vote to ditch Aker has been precluded with an 'IF'. It is a sad state of affairs when the main journalist up here has all the supporters second guessing this, and in my opinion, although he is supporting Aker, due to his inability to do his job, he is harming Aker far more than he is helping.

[POBT]

Again I ask, Do you think Jason wasn't made aware of what happened at that meeting? And that's assuming what was printed in the paper was accurate which you'd have to doubt anyway.
I'm not sure why this is so difficult for some people to grasp.

The article is clearly not based on a precise understanding of what occurred at that meeting. Akermanis is one of 13 people who could potentially have given Hammo the information.

[POBT]

In the end, all discussion about the vote to ditch Aker has been precluded with an 'IF'. It is a sad state of affairs when the main journalist up here has all the supporters second guessing this, and in my opinion, although he is supporting Aker, due to his inability to do his job, he is harming Aker far more than he is helping.
Amen. Doing no-one any favours - club, players, coach, Aker, football in general. Spread the word!

[kimp]

Considering what I have now heard about the occurences this week I am too angry to write fairly on this topic. The really sad thing is that the real truth won't come out (at least for a very long time).

[don vito of fitzroy]

Covering their backsides from what?They aren't saying what they really think about Aker and if they do hate him, they're still in a state of denial.

And what does Voss have to make up his mind about?If he wants Aker to stay. Sometimes he says he wants Aker stay and in a sudden Vossy wants Aker to go. After the jury decision, he better stick to his decision.

[Grimreepah]

A lot has been made of the 5% chance of leaving comment, but apart from his veiled threat at harming the club, I didn't have a problem so much with that. That is to say, it is not ideal but next year is next year and not worth worrying about at this stage IMO.

The thing that I thought was offensive was his blatant disregard of the request to not discuss in house issues. This article (http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=256079&highlight=Akermanis) is almost said as an act of defiance, ie. you can't tell me what to do. The issues discussed are blatantly in house. And the problem with presenting your side of the story in the media, as Aker did in this interview, is that the other side, ie. the club, can either present their own side and become part of the destructive process that is airing dirty linen, or they can say nothing and cop criticism from the fans who feel sorry for one who had the chance to explain his side of things. In other words it puts the club in a lose/lose situation.

When people, eg. Leigh, say that Aker doesn't want to play for the Lions, I think he is referring to the fact that he doesn't want to follow the rules that are required to be a Lion.

My own theory is that Aker became too dependent on the media. When the club was going well he could talk about how good he was and he could trash talk. Everyone loved it because it was a breath of fresh air and Aker seemed to thrive on the attention. But when the club and himself starting performing below par, he couldn't just talk about how good he was anymore. He had to find something else to talk about but it had to be something interesting because he had forged a reputation on being insightfull and avoiding cliches. So his focus shifted to the club, and then something had to give.

I think it is something that both player and club will learn from.

[don vito of fitzroy]

I think it is something that both player and club will learn from.I hope so. Aker needs a fresh start after all the controversy and Brizzie need to see if there will be another match winning genius amongst this bunch of youngsters.

[stickman11]

What a joke - only the Lions could be dumb enough to axe their only good player.

Still, he is better out of there - Leigh Mathews is a tool. Better of giving him the boot before the seasons end. Can't coach. Any coach in the AFL could have gotten a side bolsted by another side who was closed by the bank.

[John]

I have cut and pasted this from a post I made on a prevoius thread. These are my issues with Jason Akermanis.
1. After the 1st game of the season we played an away game at one of the toughest venues in the AFL at Kardinia park against a team coming off winning the preseason cup and and one of the favs for the flag. We lost and in his column that week he criticised the coaching staff.
2. In his column prior to the Sydney game he gave away match ups in the same column. We do not need to have the reigining premiers given publicly our game plan.
3. All players were asked by the captain of the team to make no comment about team issues in the week leading up to the game against Hawthorn. He did.
4. He allowed his brother via his email address to use his name and call the coach, who if we like it or not is the public face of the Lions, to be called a derogatory name.
5. After a form of truce was called with an agreement, as was my understanding, not to mention team matters he stated that he was only a 5% chance of being at the Lions next year and that was his choice. That was a team matter and the players were insulted that a fellow individual did not want to play with them.

I will address these issues one by one.
1. This was a silly column to write by Jason Akermanis. It would have barely caused a ripple if he had not acted provocatively towards his club later. See 2. 3. 4. and 5. Though this would have been minor I have no idea how any individual can support this column. It is an attack on the coaching staff and stupid from such a high profile individual. The off the cuff remark by Leigh Mathews to get a kick was a disapointment in hindsight but was in fact one of the few public comments ever made by him about Jason Akermanis.

2. As above though more serious. Jason Akermanis did NOT listen. Did he expect the club to sit back? Yes he did and they did publicly as well. I have no idea if he was warned privately. If he had the public, as they are now, would have accused the club of being heavy handed.

3. How anyone can support Jason Akermanis, after his public comments prior to the hawthorn game is beyond me. Jason Akermanis, as were all players, were asked by the captain of the Brisbane Lions Michael Voss to not comment in the media that week on any team issues. Jason Akermanis ignored this request. Is this disputed by one single poster on this board? To repeat Jason Akermains did comment.
4. This again is an undisputable fact. How can this be defended? Yes he was elsewhere when the email was sent but Jason Akermanis was and is responsable for all correspondance emanating from his web site.
5. We on this board can argue and debate all we like about the meaning of the remark he made about being at Brisbane next year but the reality is that after the 4 incidents above Jason Akermanis was making an extremley injudicious comment that was at the least controversial. Many comments that followed in that interview could then have been viewed as provocative.

We can argue about what Jason Akermanis has said prior to this season, we can argue about his ability as a player to the club, we can argue about Leigh Mathews hitting Neville Bruns, we can argue about the present status of the club management, we can argue about feeling left out because new people have come into the club and replaced those that where there before, we can argue about Kokoda Trail walks and it's benefit, we can argue about Micheal Gardener's indescretions and their criminality, we can argue about 3 flags, we can argue about 2 best and fairest, we can argue as to where Ash McGrath will be next year, we can argue about our long standing support of the club, we can argue about the changing of the coaching staff, we can argue about the recruitment program and we can argue about anything else that may or may not be an issue.

But we can not argue the above 5 points. They happened. After incident 3. Jason Akermanis had by now had ample warning as to what was expected off him by the Brisbane Lions. After 4. Jason Akermanis must have realised that he was treading a very fine line and if he chose to ignore this there would be serious consequences. Jason Akermanis ignored these possible consequences and has now suffered as a result. We can argue as to the merit of who leaked the debates of the match committee and the senior player group but there has been at this point in time no denial of the vote, and that vote included club stalwarts and legends such as Ashcroft, Lambert, Voss, Power, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin Jonathan Brown and Chris Johnson.
We have also had no rumour of any other player being disenchanted other than an unsubstantiated rumour about Ash McGrath wanting to return to Perth and Mathew Moody talking his new contract up. I have found that the arguments put to me on these 5 points to lack logic and suffer from emotion. These issues would be the cause of any player of any ability and any status to be looking for another club at the end of a season no matter who he played for. All support of Jason Akermanis is emotional and illogical based on those 5 points above and the accumilation of those 5 points effects. Any argument that refutes those 5 points I am willing to listen to. All other argument out side of those 5 points is irrelavent and I will not be entering into any correspondance.

[John]

What a joke - only the Lions could be dumb enough to axe their only good player.

Still, he is better out of there - Leigh Mathews is a tool. Better of giving him the boot before the seasons end. Can't coach. Any coach in the AFL could have gotten a side bolsted by another side who was closed by the bank.

I will enter into one more correspondance. You are a D/head troll.

[The Flying Belgian]

2. In his column prior to the Sydney game he gave away match ups in the same column. We do not need to have the reigining premiers given publicly our game plan.
...
Any argument that refutes those 5 points I am willing to listen to. All other argument out side of those 5 points is irrelavent and I will not be entering into any correspondance.

Just one point John. The match-ups were printed in Andrew Hamilton's atricle and not Jason's column. Obviously, this is where the inference of leaking information comes. I can't discount Aka not being the source, but I wouldn't stake my house on it either. However, the club obviously believes this is the case - hence the reference of leaking "private and confidential" information to the media as mention when he was fined.

At the end of this all what frustrates me most is why he thought the Herald-Sun article was a good idea.

[Ceebee]

Thinking about it all today i have come to the conclusion ,that the feeling about Jason at the club ,must have been pretty bad. We all know the crap that has gone on this week, members never going again, mothers taking their kids to another code, akerbaka shirts. pro aka debates etc,lots of hatred against Leigh and Vossy but they still have voted him out. That is a very big decision, knowing the consequences.
I would say there has been issues for a very long time,they had had enough, but werestill prepared to cop all the flak regardless.
I will not read theC mail again , it has been dreadful.in the soap opera way it has reported this.
Lets hope we can concentate on the footy again.sick to death of the whole thing

[John]

Just one point John. The match-ups were printed in Andrew Hamilton's atricle and not Jason's column. Obviously, this is where the inference of leaking information comes. I can't discount Aka not being the source, but I wouldn't stake my house on it either. However, the club obviously believes this is the case - hence the reference of leaking "private and confidential" information to the media as mention when he was fined.

At the end of this all what frustrates me most is why he thought the Herald-Sun article was a good idea.

I have always taken it as granted from that "private and confidential" referance that that was what the club implied. I will be honest enough to say that that would not stand up in a court of law and I will be happy to be convinced that Jason Akermanis did not leak that infomation but at the press conferances with Leaigh Mathews seemed icy to say the least when Andrew Hamilton asked questions.

The Herrad Sun iterview was the nail in the coffin. The Swans match up anyone can debate with me but that was it IMO. An accumulation of events. These are the issues that matter, not the moral high ground of Jason Akermanis life outside football or how the club is being run.

[John]

6 players that I hold in very high regard have indicated that they no longer have faith in Aker and would rather he was removed straight away. They know what's been happening this year and they made that decision. I believe in that decision.

I have quoted this post from another thread. kimp has made this point and I agree. We can again debate all we like the merits of that story staying in house but this is stalwarts of the club voting Jason Akermanis to be cast aside. Again forget the other debates about what you do or do not like about Mathews, club managment etc. Some very very important names appear to have had enough. This is telling. I have named 5 incidents in my post and TFB had called one of them questionable but along with the other points these are issues that have caused Jason Akermanis tohave some credibilty issues with not only the match committee but some very senior players who have credibility. I repeat I am happy to engage in debate about the issues I have outlined, not Ash Mcgrath going home for example. That is a none issue.

[John]

Thinking about it all today i have come to the conclusion ,that the feeling about Jason at the club ,must have been pretty bad. We all know the crap that has gone on this week, members never going again, mothers taking their kids to another code, akerbaka shirts. pro aka debates etc,lots of hatred against Leigh and Vossy but they still have voted him out. That is a very big decision, knowing the consequences.
I would say there has been issues for a very long time,they had had enough, but werestill prepared to cop all the flak regardless.
I will not read theC mail again , it has been dreadful.in the soap opera way it has reported this.
Lets hope we can concentate on the footy again.sick to death of the whole thing

Indeed. They have been "prepared to cop all the flack regardless." Why? To make a fight with a public that seem to support Jason Akermanis come what may? It is either a foolhardy or brave decision. Many careers and reputations have to be in line hence along with my 5 points I believe that the option taken was braveand for the good of the club.

[akermanis02]

Hey all,

Just a quick note to inform you all of the real things.

Firstly, In the article Jason wrote about after the Geelong game, he didn't actually critisise the coaching staff. What he actually wrote about was what he thought was a part of the game that ultimatley got them defeated. Jason wrote in that article that Geelong had many more interchanges off the bench and Jason thought that if Brisbane had done the same it could have been a differnet outcome. He was making that suggesting not having a dig at the staff..

Secondly, There were thirteen people that were really well aware of the meeting at the club the other day and I can put my house on it that Jason was not the leak to the story and either was I for that fact. Jason informed me yesterday that the club had come to that conclusion but said that I can not for any reason tell anyone from the media. I spoke with Andrew Hamilton from the Courier Mail today and asked him where he recieved the information from as I was fuming that it had become public when Jason's wishes was that it was not to be. Andrew informed me that there is a leak within the club but would not offer up his name as he knows that I would be the first person to tell the world as it could save my Brother. Andrew also wouldn't tell me because then the heat would be on that person. I can not tell you if it is a player or a person from the coaching or admin staff.

Thirdly, Jason was linked to "leaking" the story on Mal Michael. I spoke with Channel 10 on Friday and they informed me that... The story broke out of Melbourne...that channel 10 then contacted the club and informed them that they were going to run a story on Mal because the story had broken in Melbourne and they were not going to be left in the dark. The Lions were told that the story had come from Melbourne and not anyone in Brisbane but at the end of the day, the club still tried to pin it on Jason.

Fourthly, Voss and Brown have both been shown publicly saying that they would like Jason to stay on with Jason and it is amazing to now see that they don't want him there. Hey, Jason said there was a 5% chance that he would be at the club next year and so he shouldn't play football with them because now he wouldn't give 100% and he isn't playing by the team rules. Jason got told not to alk to the media about team issues. I thought Jason's interview/published with Damien Barrett wasn't that bad, I know I am biased and all but at the end of the day the facts prove that Jason would more than likely NOT be at Brisbane next year and I can honestly say that he had intended staying for Brisbane. Of course Leigh isn't going to admit that he wants to trade Jason. He'll tell you that at the end of the year when the season is over and the backlash isn't as bad. Yes, there is not "I" in team but there is a "me" and ultimatly Jason needs to get the best for himself and also for the club. Jason has done a lot for the club, he has been outspoken on issues and even was able to put himself and the Lions on the back page with State of Origin on that night..... At the end of the day, I wrote an email to a disgruntled person in which I discribed Leigh as a F*#kwit and can't coach under the assumed identity of Jason and all in all I was wrong to write it so quickly and full of hate. I have contributed to Jason's downfall and I am genuinly sorry for it. I should have written it better and as I said on 3AW last weekend..."Hindsight is a B*#ch".

All in all, Jason has said a few things that have angered a few or even quite a lot of people but at the end of the day he is a great footballer and has worked extremly hard to make sure his body is right to play each weekend and give 100%. On Friday last week when I went over there, he had completed a 1 hour stationary bike ride and a 45 minute run on a treadmill before we went upstairs to grab the boots and balls and then jog down to park for a kick where we spent 45 minutes kicking the ball. In that time he didn't stop once and one the run home I asked him why he was doing it and he said he was a professional athlete and that is what he needed to do to maintain his body for his sport. He could have easily just sat at home and watched the tv but instead he is subjecting his body to keeping it right every day and still eating the right things instead of letting it go for a couple of weeks...That people, is determination and strength to overcome a slap in the face and prove that he is about playing football.

I know a lot of things that I can't say in here because I know it will hurt Jason's overall standing but at the end of the day, one day the real truth will come out and people will see the true going on's that happen behind closed doors at the Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club. I for one have been astounded from what I have heard and found out and to say that the club is right is just seriously wrong..... I wish I could tell you all about it, hopefully one day in the near future I can and you will see that Jason isn't trying to be about himself but it's actually to do with a lot of people in the club that cause the rumblings and Jason's name is put to it even when he hasn't been involved. There is a lot of things inside the club that quite a few people are disgruntled about and maybe if Jason has told that side of it then I would agree that he should have been sacked....

Any real questions now that you would like specific answers too?

As I said last time on here...If you would like to email me direct you can at littleaka at ozemail.com.au

[John]

Hey all,

Just a quick note to inform you all of the real things.

Firstly, In the article Jason wrote about after the Geelong game, he didn't actually critisise the coaching staff. What he actually wrote about was what he thought was a part of the game that ultimatley got them defeated. Jason wrote in that article that Geelong had many more interchanges off the bench and Jason thought that if Brisbane had done the same it could have been a differnet outcome. He was making that suggesting not having a dig at the staff..

Secondly, There were thirteen people that were really well aware of the meeting at the club the other day and I can put my house on it that Jason was not the leak to the story and either was I for that fact. Jason informed me yesterday that the club had come to that conclusion but said that I can not for any reason tell anyone from the media. I spoke with Andrew Hamilton from the Courier Mail today and asked him where he recieved the information from as I was fuming that it had become public when Jason's wishes was that it was not to be. Andrew informed me that there is a leak within the club but would not offer up his name as he knows that I would be the first person to tell the world as it could save my Brother. Andrew also wouldn't tell me because then the heat would be on that person. I can not tell you if it is a player or a person from the coaching or admin staff.

Thirdly, Jason was linked to "leaking" the story on Mal Michael. I spoke with Channel 10 on Friday and they informed me that... The story broke out of Melbourne...that channel 10 then contacted the club and informed them that they were going to run a story on Mal because the story had broken in Melbourne and they were not going to be left in the dark. The Lions were told that the story had come from Melbourne and not anyone in Brisbane but at the end of the day, the club still tried to pin it on Jason.

Fourthly, Voss and Brown have both been shown publicly saying that they would like Jason to stay on with Jason and it is amazing to now see that they don't want him there. Hey, Jason said there was a 5% chance that he would be at the club next year and so he shouldn't play football with them because now he wouldn't give 100% and he isn't playing by the team rules. Jason got told not to alk to the media about team issues. I thought Jason's interview/published with Damien Barrett wasn't that bad, I know I am biased and all but at the end of the day the facts prove that Jason would more than likely NOT be at Brisbane next year and I can honestly say that he had intended staying for Brisbane. Of course Leigh isn't going to admit that he wants to trade Jason. He'll tell you that at the end of the year when the season is over and the backlash isn't as bad. Yes, there is not "I" in team but there is a "me" and ultimatly Jason needs to get the best for himself and also for the club. Jason has done a lot for the club, he has been outspoken on issues and even was able to put himself and the Lions on the back page with State of Origin on that night..... At the end of the day, I wrote an email to a disgruntled person in which I discribed Leigh as a F*#kwit and can't coach under the assumed identity of Jason and all in all I was wrong to write it so quickly and full of hate. I have contributed to Jason's downfall and I am genuinly sorry for it. I should have written it better and as I said on 3AW last weekend..."Hindsight is a B*#ch".

All in all, Jason has said a few things that have angered a few or even quite a lot of people but at the end of the day he is a great footballer and has worked extremly hard to make sure his body is right to play each weekend and give 100%. On Friday last week when I went over there, he had completed a 1 hour stationary bike ride and a 45 minute run on a treadmill before we went upstairs to grab the boots and balls and then jog down to park for a kick where we spent 45 minutes kicking the ball. In that time he didn't stop once and one the run home I asked him why he was doing it and he said he was a professional athlete and that is what he needed to do to maintain his body for his sport. He could have easily just sat at home and watched the tv but instead he is subjecting his body to keeping it right every day and still eating the right things instead of letting it go for a couple of weeks...That people, is determination and strength to overcome a slap in the face and prove that he is about playing football.

I know a lot of things that I can't say in here because I know it will hurt Jason's overall standing but at the end of the day, one day the real truth will come out and people will see the true going on's that happen behind closed doors at the Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club. I for one have been astounded from what I have heard and found out and to say that the club is right is just seriously wrong..... I wish I could tell you all about it, hopefully one day in the near future I can and you will see that Jason isn't trying to be about himself but it's actually to do with a lot of people in the club that cause the rumblings and Jason's name is put to it even when he hasn't been involved. There is a lot of things inside the club that quite a few people are disgruntled about and maybe if Jason has told that side of it then I would agree that he should have been sacked....

Any real questions now that you would like specific answers too?

As I said last time on here...If you would like to email me direct you can at littleaka at ozemail.com.au

I am not interested in sending you emails. I can debate these points with you if you wish on this forum but I do have one question for you. If as you admit you have stuffed your brothers life up what the hell are you coming on this board bleating for? Have you not done enough damage? I watched you outside the game last Saturday handing out tshirts. For the life of me I have no idea what you expected to achieve other than make the club take a harder stance. You are also making out that the world is against Jason Akermanis. Well it is not it is only the Brisbane Lions and a few hardy supporters like me. Mate the Courier mail loves your brother. he is a human headline in an industry that is slowly losing sales. I think you should wake up to yourself.

[Warwick]

Any real questions now that you would like specific answers too?


I've got a couple of questions:

Does Aka read any of these messages?

Does he have a preference (team) for next year?

[akermanis02]

I am not interested in sending you emails. I can debate these points with you if you wish on this forum but I do have one question for you. If as you admit you have stuffed your brothers life up what the hell are you coming on this board bleating for? Have you not done enough damage? I watched you outside the game last Saturday handing out tshirts. For the life of me I have no idea what you expected to achieve other than make the club take a harder stance. You are also making out that the world is against Jason Akermanis. Well it is not it is only the Brisbane Lions and a few hardy supporters like me. Mate the Courier mail loves your brother. he is a human headline in an industry that is slowly losing sales. I think you should wake up to yourself.

Just passing on the facts John. debate all you like with me, when you can prove that you actually know the real facts then I will take you seriously. Last time I looked, I wasn't bleating, just adding my opinion like yourself. I can offer more damage but I'm not out to hurt the club in actual fact. I didn't actually expect anything other than to give out a tshirt to people who wanted them as I was asked by the person who backed it to help out. I could have easily stayed home or just gone inside the gates but I was able to help and see and hear the feedback to pass on to Berrick.I'm not making the world to be out to get Jason, as I said, I was just stating some real facts. My Brother is a human headline and with that he has put Brisbane on the map just that little bit more. I'm a wake to myself quite a lot and for you to say something like that just shows your mentality. Cheers

[akermanis02]

I've got a couple of questions:

Does Aka read any of these messages?

Does he have a preference (team) for next year?

He does at times only because I cut and paste them into emails and send them to him.

I'm not 100% sure. He is playing those cards very close to his chest. I want him to stay at Brisbane but if he leaves I would like to see him go to Geelong or Richmond.....

[Warwick]

He does at times only because I cut and paste them into emails and send them to him.

I'm not 100% sure. He is playing those cards very close to his chest. I want him to stay at Brisbane but if he leaves I would like to see him go to Geelong or Richmond.....

What happens if Brisbane can't get a suitable trade for him - is he able to simply walk away from his contract?

[John]

Just passing on the facts John. debate all you like with me, when you can prove that you actually know the real facts then I will take you seriously. Last time I looked, I wasn't bleating, just adding my opinion like yourself. I can offer more damage but I'm not out to hurt the club in actual fact. I didn't actually expect anything other than to give out a tshirt to people who wanted them as I was asked by the person who backed it to help out. I could have easily stayed home or just gone inside the gates but I was able to help and see and hear the feedback to pass on to Berrick.I'm not making the world to be out to get Jason, as I said, I was just stating some real facts. My Brother is a human headline and with that he has put Brisbane on the map just that little bit more. I'm a wake to myself quite a lot and for you to say something like that just shows your mentality. Cheers

You can get narky with me all you like but I have not split the club. Your brother has and you have added to that. Your "facts" also might be "fiction." It is all how you percieve. I have read your brothers columns and have heard him interviewed. I repeat what I have said on here ad neasuam. It would have been easy to write a column in the local rag without attacking the club. Your brother could have seen the season out and left with dignity. Steve Lawrence left with dignity. Matey I support the Brisbane Lions. Not Jason Akermanis. I pay the players wages and as far as I know your brother earns more in a year than I would in 7. I do not begrudge him that for he has given me the most joyful moments of my life but I begrudge his inability to clam it and to make it all end in tears not only for him but the club and the supporters. And I stand by what I said before. You should give it a miss too, you have done him no one favour.

[akermanis02]

What happens if Brisbane can't get a suitable trade for him - is he able to simply walk away from his contract?

If the Lions can't get a suitable trade for him then the club can either sack him or keep him on the list. If the sack him they have to pay out his contracted amount but if they keep him on then the club still has to pay him his amount owed as a senior player. If Jason decides to quit then he is limiting himself to what he can do as the contract still stays in force to a certain extent but he can challenge it with the AFL. It's a very complicated issue but that is the gist of it. Hopefully the Lions and Jason can sort something out sooner or later for the better of AFL in general.

[Warwick]

Where does he keep his Brownlow? :D

[akermanis02]

Where does he keep his Brownlow? :D

In a safe with his premership medals and a few other things very close to home.

[Warwick]

In a safe with his premership medals and a few other things very close to home.

Cool - just asking the tough, hard-hitting questions at the moment. Seriously though, have any clubs inquired upon his services for next year? Can you name any of these interested clubs?

[John]

He does at times only because I cut and paste them into emails and send them to him.

I'm not 100% sure. He is playing those cards very close to his chest. I want him to stay at Brisbane but if he leaves I would like to see him go to Geelong or Richmond.....

OK I will give you a hard hitting question. When Michael Voss asked the players not to speak to the press about team matters prior to the first Hawthorn game why did your brother ignore that request?

[weevil]

OK I will give you a hard hitting question. When Michael Voss asked the players not to speak to the press about team matters prior to the first Hawthorn game why did your brother ignore that request?Yes, but not only in that situation, over the span of the whole year. I do not understand why Jason kept on inflaming the situation by continually talking about sensitive issues in the media.

I know firsthand the sort of internal personality clashes that can go on in these situations and the bitterness and acrimony they can create. But I also know that rule number 1 is that you never talk about them in public.

Everyone could see how much friction Jason’s comments (rightly or wrongly) were creating at the club. I’m sure the media blew loads of it out of proportion and a lot of it was unfair. But even taking all that into account, why didn’t Jason just stop commenting on anything to do with that stuff?

[John]

He does at times only because I cut and paste them into emails and send them to him.

I'm not 100% sure. He is playing those cards very close to his chest. I want him to stay at Brisbane but if he leaves I would like to see him go to Geelong or Richmond.....

And another. If after all the problems that had occured previuosly why was he so injudicious to have that interview with the Herald Sun when he must have considered that an incorrect answer would have serious consequences?

[akermanis02]

You can get narky with me all you like but I have not split the club. Your brother has and you have added to that. Your "facts" also might be "fiction." It is all how you percieve. I have read your brothers columns and have heard him interviewed. I repeat what I have said on here ad neasuam. It would have been easy to write a column in the local rag without attacking the club. Your brother could have seen the season out and left with dignity. Steve Lawrence left with dignity. Matey I support the Brisbane Lions. Not Jason Akermanis. I pay the players wages and as far as I know your brother earns more in a year than I would in 7. I do not begrudge him that for he has given me the most joyful moments of my life but I begrudge his inability to clam it and to make it all end in tears not only for him but the club and the supporters. And I stand by what I said before. You should give it a miss too, you have done him no one favour.

I'm not getting narky, that's how you perceive it. Jason and I aren;t the only ones that have split the club, we are the only ones that have been reported on... Fact or fiction is up to you in what you believe, I know the facts. I'm pretty sure he hasn't directly attaked the club, he has just put out there what he thinks happened the week before but I guess that is what people perceive it as. In all honesty, he didn't want it all to end in tears or wahtever it is claimed at, he wanted to play out his career in Brisbane nut he was misunderstood in a lot of areas. He was asked by the club to make an apology and he offered and sincerly I might add, they rejected. to your bit about I should give it a miss! Like yourself I am intitled to my own opinion and that is what I have done except for one email that you know about where as I gave an opinion but as my brother. If I need to give it a miss, should you not follow your own words and do the same?

[John]

Yes, but not only in that situation, over the span of the whole year. I do not understand why Jason kept on inflaming the situation by continually talking about sensitive issues in the media.

I know firsthand the sort of internal personality clashes that can go on in these situations and the bitterness and acrimony they can create. But I also know that rule number 1 is that you never talk about them in public.

Everyone could see how much friction Jason’s comments (rightly or wrongly) were creating at the club. I’m sure the media blew loads of it out of proportion and a lot of it was unfair. But even taking all that into account, why didn’t Jason just stop commenting on anything to do with that stuff?

In fact your comment requires another question to Rory. If Jason is so media savy why has he failed IMO to see that the media have an ability to use people like himself? And I have highlighted the part of weevil's post that needs to be answered before mine.

[akermanis02]

Cool - just asking the tough, hard-hitting questions at the moment. Seriously though, have any clubs inquired upon his services for next year? Can you name any of these interested clubs?

From what I've heard there are a couple of clubs but that is from the media. So in actual fact, what you hear from the media is exactly what I am finding out about which clubs are having a say.