"Worst human being I've ever known"

[Grasshopper17]

Surprised this hasn't already rated a mention here already today. No doubt it is getting coverage on the main site, where all the trolls are having their two cents worth and probably more. Hence why I am avoiding them.

I was really disappointed with his attitude. Not so much what he said - he is prepared to speak his mind on national television and it's good for football. Doesn't hide behind cliches yada yada yada. But to come out and publicly lambast Stevie Lawrence the way he did was pretty poor form I thought. For starters I've always it's dangerous to bear grudges, and even more dangerous to bear them for 4 years. Jason is making all these judgements of a former team mate from the comfort of a TV studio in Brisbane, based on events that probably happened at least 3 years ago, and he isn't even prepared to meet with Steve to discuss things etc. People change... people learn from their mistakes... I honestly don't see how it would hurt. Maybe Jason is afraid of being beaten up, and I don't blame him. If I decided to slag off unashamedly at somebody in the national media I'd expect to get beaten up too!

Seriously though, based on his comments last night the impressions I have formed of Jason is that he is more than happy to dish out insults to everybody, but is a bit gun shy when they are coming the other way. To put it bluntly, soft. Which is another one for the argument that footballers should be known for their football, and not their personalities, because nobody is perfect. I don't watch the footy show very often, and I won't be watching it any more, and I still hope Jason plays a corker tomorrow night. I just wanted to get all that off my chest.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Now if I'd have said that...

 

[Grasshopper17]

Originally posted by Mr Ripper
Now if I'd have said that...

Mmmmm

 

[skilts]

rchowell, your attitude surprises me.

If you've ever been involved in a sporting club, you'd know that all of that which is to be known about a person exposes itself in that environment. I wasn't there Aker was. I don't know, nor do you.

Given Aker's history of painfully honest assessments of all people and situations, I'd suggest something has come to his notice, through personal, intimate experience,which has caused him to form this opinion. Aker is NOT the sort of person to slag someone in this way, without good reason. He is also well aware of the libel laws.

On face value, what he's written is a major sledge of a former teammate. There is another interpretation available, and I'm putting the best slant on it. If this man doesn't take hold of his life, it will consist of a series of similar incidents to the one which caused the car accident.

Aker is being harsh, but fair. Is there anybody who thinks this man shouldn't be told that he has lost friends and needs to adjust his behaviour?

All power to Aker for telling it how it is. I hope, probably forlornly, that Lawrence will listen to Aker, because he needs to. The man actually had some talent. His father was in a very special category as a footballer.

Therein may lay the problem.

 

[Grasshopper17]

How is my attitude any difference to yours? As I said - good on Aker for speaking his mind, and he may well have a point. He wouldn't just say the sorts of things he's been saying for no reason. I just think it's soft to come out on national television the way he has, but then not have the courage to meet Steven face to face. It would probably be best for all parties. That is all.

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

The worst thing about Steve Lawrence was the fact that he would act like a total mongrel off the field and it not only upset Aker but the current Brisbane Lions team. They don't want him back and I don't blame 'em.

Lawrence has a negative attitude towards other ppl. He drinks, and mucks around like it's nobody's business. That's not what you would want in your club.

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

Originally posted by rchowell
How is my attitude any difference to yours? As I said - good on Aker for speaking his mind, and he may well have a point. He wouldn't just say the sorts of things he's been saying for no reason. I just think it's soft to come out on national television the way he has, but then not have the courage to meet Steven face to face. It would probably be best for all parties. That is all.

The thing is Aker doesn't want to fight a drunken Steve Lawrence but Lawrence thinks that violence will stop everything.

Steve Lawrence has some serious issues to deal with and I mean deal with. He has to go and see a shrink to set him in the right way and he has to give up his lifestyle and clean up his act before anyone can forgive Lawrence. To me Lawrence is a richard cranium, somebody who deliberately annoys other ppl and doesn't concentrate on the real problem.

 

[harry_hawka]

Originally posted by goaldrush
The thing is Aker doesn't want to fight a drunken Steve Lawrence but Lawrence thinks that violence will stop everything.

Steve Lawrence has some serious issues to deal with and I mean deal with. He has to go and see a shrink to set him in the right way and he has to give up his lifestyle and clean up his act before anyone can forgive Lawrence. To me Lawrence is a richard cranium, somebody who deliberately annoys other ppl and doesn't concentrate on the real problem.

Hahahahahah now if this doesn't get Musashi, then Groves doesn't exist.

 

[The Iron Sock]

Aker is NOT the sort of person to slag someone in this way, without good reason.

Unless you are a close friend or family member don't make assumptions based on what you have seen of Jason Akermanis

 

[Lady Lawrence]

Very disappointed in Jason, have always liked the fact that he spoke what he thought and has always backed it up.

I firmly believe that if you aren't prepared to go all the way with a belief or statement you should just keep it shut.

Poor form Aker, very poor form.

Personally I would love to see Steve give it to him cos I think most people would be shocked, most of all Aker!!!

 

[NathanD]

Originally posted by Lady Lawrence
Very disappointed in Jason, have always liked the fact that he spoke what he thought and has always backed it up.

I firmly believe that if you aren't prepared to go all the way with a belief or statement you should just keep it shut.

Poor form Aker, very poor form.

Personally I would love to see Steve give it to him cos I think most people would be shocked, most of all Aker!!!

I find this post extraordinary.

Are you cheerleading for a bit of biffo?

Are you suggesting, dare I say it in this charged climate, that Aker is asking for it, and would deserve it?

We all make mistakes, let's forgive Aker's and Steve's multitudes of wrongdoings, and get on with the football.

A shame that Steve isn't playing for an AFL team, and a blessing that Aker is playing for ours.

 

[cjwalkley]

Aker mentioned the comments initially on SEN as the reason he believed St Kilda would improve markedly as a team. It was then pursued by SEN and Nine as they both knew Akermanis would give a blunt and honest answer.

It is a very smart move by Akermanis not to get involved in an on air debate with Lawrence. Lawrence has absolutely nothing to lose by slandering Akermanis or trying to provoke fisticuffs as he is finished as a footballer and this is his only avenue into the media focus. Akermanis has a career and important season to focus upon.

While I don't profess to know the alleged incidents behind all this, I do know of a number of other incidents involving Lawrence, and he is a bloke that requires a deal of counselling.

 

[Jars458]

It that's his view, that's his view. At least he didn't sanitise it for the sake of a TV cliche.

Aker is good for the game but he should be careful he doesn't go over the top as each week he has something to say, and if it continues it may appear that he does it just to do it rather than out of any real honesty or belief in what he is saying.

I await his commments on Thruday night given that we are playing you guys this weekend.

Any news on Lynch or Voss being available??

 

[luthor]

Originally posted by cjwalkley
Aker mentioned the comments initially on SEN as the reason he believed St Kilda would improve markedly as a team. It was then pursued by SEN and Nine as they both knew Akermanis would give a blunt and honest answer.

I didn't see or hear the context in which Aker made the comment but the inference in your post, is that he made it in response to the media seeking qualification as to why he believed St Kilda would improve.

So I further infer that (inter-alia), he made the comment about Lawrence.

As Jars 458 said, if that's what he thinks, then that's what he thinks.

Everyone knows that if you ask Aker a direct question, you'll get a frank, honest answer......mightn't be the answer that you expect....but you will get an answer.

There appear to be a lot of people who have a big problem with this.

The onlyquestion I have is......WHY???



Do the people who have such a big problem with frank, open responses to direct questions prefer politically correct double-speak........

.....something along the lines of..........

"yes...well....Bloggs......well ....yes .....no....well....yes....in the time I spent playing footy with him, he was always a solid team contributor who gave as much to the side as could reasonably be expected, considering the difficult personal circumstances pertaining to him at the time"

Well, do you really prefer this sort of goobledigook?

 

[Grasshopper17]

Originally posted by NathanD
A shame that Steve isn't playing for an AFL team, and a blessing that Aker is playing for ours.

What he said. A shame that Steve isn't playing for our AFL team. A shame that Steve ever left our AFL team.

 

[Lady Lawrence]

Originally posted by NathanD
I find this post extraordinary.

Are you cheerleading for a bit of biffo?

Are you suggesting, dare I say it in this charged climate, that Aker is asking for it, and would deserve it?

We all make mistakes, let's forgive Aker's and Steve's multitudes of wrongdoings, and get on with the football.

A shame that Steve isn't playing for an AFL team, and a blessing that Aker is playing for ours.

No not cheerleading for a biffo at all but for Aker to back up his comments and allow Steve a rebuttal. If someone called me the worst human being they'd ever met I sure as hell would like to know why. Aker canmake a comment like that and not have to substantiate it. Steve has had some bad press and has made some very public mistakes, he deserves the right to a bit of compassion and understanding. It takes a bigger man to admit you have a problem and do something about it than to just slag someone off for those same problems.

 

[campbell]

Gotta agree there Lady Lawrence.

Lawry has had a hard run of it, he has admitted he has problems and is getting help for them.Good luck to him.He was a damn fine footballer for us, and its a shame that a few stry words from Aka on an off media week is allowed to dim his prowess on the football field.

I am sure that all of our players don't agree or even like Aka, but they don't slag off at him in the media. Its human nature that in a playing group of 40 20's men,that they will all not like each other. They don't have to be best buds, just good team footballlers.
Lawry was a good footballer, and I for one prefer to remember his ability on the field than any tiff he has had with a player.


Aka did we really need to hear about you opinion of an ex player.Sometimes things are better left unsaid.

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

Originally posted by The Iron Sock
Unless you are a close friend or family member don't make assumptions based on what you have seen of Jason Akermanis

What happens if you have met Aker then? Remember this buddy, it is a free country.

Once you have met Aker, you can either stick up for him or hate him. It all depends if you see any good in him.

Steve Lawrence needs a lot of support, but he won't get it if he wants to beat the crap out of any of the players.

 

[Denno]

Originally posted by rchowell
What he said. A shame that Steve isn't playing for our AFL team. A shame that Steve ever left our AFL team.

Not.

 

[Grasshopper17]

Originally posted by Lady Lawrence
No not cheerleading for a biffo at all but for Aker to back up his comments and allow Steve a rebuttal. If someone called me the worst human being they'd ever met I sure as hell would like to know why. Aker canmake a comment like that and not have to substantiate it. Steve has had some bad press and has made some very public mistakes, he deserves the right to a bit of compassion and understanding. It takes a bigger man to admit you have a problem and do something about it than to just slag someone off for those same problems.

Spot on. However, if the only think Aker had reservations about was waging a war with Lawrence in the media via the footy show in a head to head debate, I can understand that. I don't think that would be good for anybody, save for the media. My point was that I am critical of Aker for not even being prepared to meet Steven over coffee, or something. Out of the public eye obviously.

Originally posted by campbell
Lawry was a good footballer, and I for one prefer to remember his ability on the field than any tiff he has had with a player.

Perfectly put.

Originally posted by Denno
Not.

You didn't rate him Denno? His fearless attack on the ball - almost to the point of stupidity - wasn't enough to win you over? Gee... Some people are never satisfied.

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

Originally posted by harry_hawka
Hahahahahah now if this doesn't get Musashi, then Groves doesn't exist.

Sorry but to me Steve Lawrence shouldn't even be playing any football. He should be concentrating on doing things like studying or getting a job.

 

[lioness]

Aker is certainly entitled to his own opinions, it's unfortunate that he airs them in such a blunt and public way, but hey that's who he is.

I think it's a great shame what's happened to Stevie Lawrence, he was a great player who has been ruined by off-field problems and I really hope he gets some help and gets things back on track. I don't think that's the ONLY thing that was holding St Kilda back, but I'm sure it also didn't help things much!

Pretty much everything that comes out of Aker's mouth is controversial or bound to offend someone, we should all be immune to it by now.

 

[Denno]

Originally posted by rchowell
You didn't rate him Denno? His fearless attack on the ball - almost to the point of stupidity - wasn't enough to win you over? Gee... Some people are never satisfied.

Never said I didn't rate him. Don't make assumptions on something you know nothing about.

I just don't see it as a "shame" that he left.

While he was serviceable on the football field, he was never a star. He was a good role player. He was an integral part of the back six in the side in '99. He lost his way a bit thereafter.

He no doubt had (has) a lot of baggage. Brisbane as a club don't need players smashing their cars into poles blind drunk.

If he was a star, you could see SOME rules being bent to keep the player - the good outweighs the bad. In this instance, I don't think the good (performances on the field) outweighed the bad (you know the rest). As it stood, he wanted to leave the club anyway.

Good luck to whatever he chooses in the future.

I don't think Brisbane regret him leaving, somehow.

 

[luthor]

Originally posted by Denno

He no doubt had (has) a lot of baggage. Brisbane as a club don't need players smashing their cars into poles blind drunk.
.

Or smashing their hands through windows