Nearly 10 Years Ago Today...

[bulldogtragic]

...The Western Bulldogs sacked Jason Akermanis.

With the power of hindsight, how do we rate him?

Playing: We won 40 games, 26 losses. In the 5 finals he played he averaged around 15 disposals, 6 marks and kicked 9.4 goals/behinds. Although not winning a prelim, his time with us was successful on field.

Off field: Initially brought about excitement. Then the handstand was banned which didn't go down to well. Public comments and newspaper opinion pieces were ranging from scandalous to offensive. He didn't like the Leading Teams model and strong players/leaders giving him their feedback. He refused to reign himself in, despite us being a finals contender again in 2010.

So on this near decade anniversary of his sacking - where he was summarily dismissed so not paid out - how do feel about recruiting him, his time with us onfield and off field, and sacking him?

[Sedat]

Was ultimately a failure but a worthwhile one to pursue for mine. We needed to make the GF in 2009 for it to be deemed a success. Unfortunately Aker went conpletely MIA in that PF on Steven Baker when we most needed his flashes of briliance.

[bornadog]

We originally recruited him for three years, and from what I can remember he didn't cost us much. I thought in those three years he was an excellent player showing some real brilliance in a lot of games. Who can forget the Port Adelaide match at Marvel, when he got us the win with some brilliant roving out of the centre and bursting out to kick multiple goals in the last 5 minutes of the game.

In 2008 he kicked 49 goals and in 2009 he kicked 43, which to me is a great success, however, he should never have been given another year as he was done. His final year he also went off the rails and caused some disruptions with other players which forced the club to sack him.

You can say what you want about Aker as a person, but he is one of the all time great AFL players.

[westdog54]

We originally recruited him for three years, and from what I can remember he didn't cost us much. I thought in those three years he was an excellent player showing some real brilliance in a lot of games. Who can forget the Port Adelaide match at Marvel, when he got us the win with some brilliant roving out of the centre and bursting out to kick multiple goals in the last 5 minutes of the game.

In 2008 he kicked 49 goals and in 2009 he kicked 43, which to me is a great success, however, he should never have been given another year as he was done. His final year he also went off the rails and caused some disruptions with other players which forced the club to sack him.

You can say all what you want about Aker as a person, but he is one of the all time great AFL players.

His final year ultimately vindicated Leigh Matthews, Michael Voss and Jonathan Brown.

Aker was certainly a great player but it got to a stage where he needed to choose between himself and the team, and he chose poorly.

[Happy Days]

His last game against Essendon was particularly grim. He got nowhere near it and was constantly trying to do spectacular things to the team's detriment, like trying to take hangers and giving away frees, or trying to kick impossible goals instead of to teammates. It was like he was trying to show us we needed him, and ended up proving the opposite.

Relatedly - I'll die on the hill of believing we win the 2010 flag if we didn't get that weird team-wide flu right before having to play in a monsoon in Adelaide. We were cooking after sacking Aker.

[jeemak]

His last game against Essendon was particularly grim. He got nowhere near it and was constantly trying to do spectacular things to the team's detriment, like trying to take hangers and giving away frees, or trying to kick impossible goals instead of to teammates. It was like he was trying to show us we needed him, and ended up proving the opposite.

Relatedly - I'll die on the hill of believing we win the 2010 flag if we didn't get that weird team-wide flu right before having to play in a monsoon in Adelaide. We were cooking after sacking Aker.

We were really flat at the end of 2010 after that flu.

Aker played some really good footy for us, but shouldn't have gone on in 2010 which was a year in which he ultimately just couldn't help himself and reverted to type.

He was a worthwhile investment, but just never matured as he should have and from all reports still hasn't.

[Sedat]

We originally recruited him for three years, and from what I can remember he didn't cost us much. I thought in those three years he was an excellent player showing some real brilliance in a lot of games. Who can forget the Port Adelaide match at Marvel, when he got us the win with some brilliant roving out of the centre and bursting out to kick multiple goals in the last 5 minutes of the game.

In 2008 he kicked 49 goals and in 2009 he kicked 43, which to me is a great success, however, he should never have been given another year as he was done. His final year he also went off the rails and caused some disruptions with other players which forced the club to sack him.

You can say what you want about Aker as a person, but he is one of the all time great AFL players.
I reckon the experiment was tracking perfectly until the 2009 PF. He just couldn't get near it that night when we desperately needed his brilliance. As we all know, we played all over the Saints that night bur just couldn't capitalise on our dominance. Even a couple of Aker flashes of brilliance would have gotten us over the line but he just couldn't get it done.

The extra year in 2010 was a disaster on all fronts.

[bornadog]

I reckon the experiment was tracking perfectly until the 2009 PF. He just couldn't get near it that night when we desperately needed his brilliance. As we all know, we played all over the Saints that night bur just couldn't capitalise on our dominance. Even a couple of Aker flashes of brilliance would have gotten us over the line but he just couldn't get it done.

The extra year in 2010 was a disaster on all fronts.

Yeah he wasn't the only one in that Prelim. The one thing I remember (amongst a couple more incidence), was when Aker kicked a 50 metre kick that bounced over the boundary. The umpire called deliberate (rare those days for such a long kick down the line), Saints got the ball, centred it, then kicked long for Riewoldt to goal - ball game over

[jeemak]

Yeah he wasn't the only one in that Prelim. The one thing I remember (amongst a couple more incidence), was when Aker kicked a 50 metre kick that bounced over the boundary. The umpire called deliberate (rare those days for such a long kick down the line), Saints got the ball, centred it, then kicked long for Riewoldt to goal - ball game over

Didn't it bounce at right angles or thereabouts?

The only game I have ever said the result was a direct outcome of bad umpiring. A completely disgusting display.

[josie]

I loved him when he played for us. A really reliable kick for goal and so footy smart. It was worth the punt. Was very sad the way it ended. Despite his self centredness & tendency to speak before thinking shortcomings I still have a soft spot for him. I also wish the club had let him do his handstand. It was a bit of fun and I enjoyed it. His autobiography was an interesting read.

[bulldogtragic]

Yeah he wasn't the only one in that Prelim. The one thing I remember (amongst a couple more incidence), was when Aker kicked a 50 metre kick that bounced over the boundary. The umpire called deliberate (rare those days for such a long kick down the line), Saints got the ball, centred it, then kicked long for Riewoldt to goal - ball game over

He was. Aker said later in the year or early the next year that he was deliberately kicking it out of bounds. That was close to fair. The Lake one at half time less so. The Hargrave one was the worst ever decision that gave St Kilda their first goal while we had momentum.

I was on the wing, second level, I don't know why he didn't just go for distance and sprint to the St Kilda defender who would've got to it first and hope to pressure a turnover.

Thank God for 2016.

[bornadog]

He was. Aker said later in the year or early the next year that he was deliberately kicking it out of bounds. That was close to fair. The Lake one at half time less so. The Hargrave one was the worst ever decision that gave St Kilda their first goal while we had momentum.

I was on the wing, second level, I don't know why he didn't just go for distance and sprint to the St Kilda defender who would've got to it first and hope to pressure a turnover.

Thank God for 2016.

I have a particular issue with deliberate. I don't agree with the interpretation.

[bulldogtragic]

I have a particular issue with deliberate. I don't agree with the interpretation.

Now or then? Or both?

[westdog54]

Now or then? Or both?

While not answering for BAD I'll say this:

Its generally bad now. It was horrendous on the night.

[bornadog]

Now or then? Or both?


While not answering for BAD I'll say this:

Its generally bad now. It was horrendous on the night.

Agree with W54. I can't see what was wrong with the rule say 20 years ago?

[jeemak]

Agree with W54. I can't see what was wrong with the rule say 20 years ago?

The AFL thinks it's better for your team to turn the ball over than go for territory so there can be more advertisements during games.

[The Pie Man]

That deliberate is a real sore point - another moment in our never to be made 30 for 30.

I remember being relieved he cleared the 50, but as it started rolling I got a really bad feeling...was like the sporting gods were warning me this isn’t going to be the night. Felt it was harsh but wasn’t surprised it was called

(Some mark from Roo following this to be fair )

As BT said, thank god for 2016

[ratsmac]

Can we stop talking about that prelim, its giving me anxiety. I've never felt so ripped off..... well since 97 that is

[1eyedog]

Aker was an exciting edition to the club. Most of the kids absolutely loved him.

[1eyedog]

His last game against Essendon was particularly grim. He got nowhere near it and was constantly trying to do spectacular things to the team's detriment, like trying to take hangers and giving away frees, or trying to kick impossible goals instead of to teammates. It was like he was trying to show us we needed him, and ended up proving the opposite.

Relatedly - I'll die on the hill of believing we win the 2010 flag if we didn't get that weird team-wide flu right before having to play in a monsoon in Adelaide. We were cooking after sacking Aker.

Remember Johnno doing this way too much near the end as well.

[Bulldog4life]

I really enjoyed Aker's time with the club except that last year as everyone else has alluded to. Kicked some freakish goals and was fantastic to watch. His 2008 and 2009 seasons were consistent kicking 92 goals. One of the great small forwards.

[Remi Moses]

Interesting question
I think he was great value until he just crossed the line in to big a way
Best player I’ve seen on both sides

[Twodogs]

Aker was an exciting edition to the club. Most of the kids absolutely loved him.

The day he announced he signed I picked my son up from Hyde street school. I happened to mention to the teacher that Aker had signed and the next thing I know I am standing in front of an all school assembly telling all the kids that Aker had signed with the Bulldogs. I've never seen so many smiles and hi fives.

My son loved him even when he was at Brisbane (he said to me one night, "why do all the other Brisbane players hate Aker? They won't go near him when he kicks a goal" and he was dead right, Aker had shit the nest and the other players had sent him to Coventry.

So the first time I take my son to meet him Aker looks at him and said "Look me in the eye kid, Don't stare at the floor" Harvey said about how he always nailed the money shot and Aker came back with the "Yep, the harder I work and the more I practice the luckier I seem to get" line and Harvey always remembers that.

[Happy Days]

I should say that for real I LOVED Aker as a player. In his time he was the best kick in the league as well as the second best kick in the league off his opposite foot, and is one of the players I'll go back and watch highlights of semi-regularly.

He kicks this goal against Brisbane in 2009 in the fourth quarter, in a game where we were losing everywhere but the scoreboard, and it's just a perfect moment. The crowd is going absolutely rabid when he picks the ball up, and you could hear a pin drop after he slots it.

Such a shame he was an unbearable jerk.

EDIT - found it; at about 3:30


https://youtu.be/l0AZcSTELdE?t=210

[bornadog]

I should say that for real I LOVED Aker as a player. In his time he was the best kick in the league as well as the second best kick in the league off his opposite foot, and is one of the players I'll go back and watch highlights of semi-regularly.

He kicks this goal against Brisbane in 2009 in the fourth quarter, in a game where we were losing everywhere but the scoreboard, and it's just a perfect moment. The crowd is going absolutely rabid when he picks the ball up, and you could hear a pin drop after he slots it.

Such a shame he was an unbearable jerk.

EDIT - found it; at about 3:30


https://youtu.be/l0AZcSTELdE?t=210

Gee we had some good kickers in that team, Glibee, Aker, Johnno. Eagleton to name a few

[Happy Days]

Gee we had some good kickers in that team, Glibee, Aker, Johnno. Eagleton to name a few

What about Josh Drummond in that vid? Forgot what an awesome player he was.

[soupman]

That video is just long bombs from 55 that sail through effortlessly.

[Mitcha]

Aker as a player was an absolute star and I will admit I didn't give him enough credit for his talents until I watched him every week with us even though he was highly decorated when he was with Brisbane. As a person he was a cancer that needed to be removed as he was at Brisbane. When your own team mates don't trust you it is time as a club to make the hard decisions.

[jeemak]

What about Josh Drummond in that vid? Forgot what an awesome player he was.

His left foot was amazing in that reel. How's the almost to 4 o'clock centering ball. The stuff dreams are made of.

[Bulldog4life]

Loved to watch Aker playing with us. Those remarkable goals were a thing of beauty. In one of the East West training days at Wesley I double parked my car to let my elderly parents out. Who should be parked behind me it was Aker. As I was outside helping my parents out Aker poked his head out the window and shouted "love the way you park mate hurry up". Recognizing him I said "Give me a break Aker". He laughed, turned off his engine left his car double parked and walked down to the oval. Strange dude.

[AndrewP6]

I loved him when he played for us. A really reliable kick for goal and so footy smart. It was worth the punt. Was very sad the way it ended. Despite his self centredness & tendency to speak before thinking shortcomings I still have a soft spot for him. I also wish the club had let him do his handstand. It was a bit of fun and I enjoyed it. His autobiography was an interesting read.

This. The furore over the handstand was absolutely ludicrous. I was a fan of his.