'They did not want my help': Jason Akermanis

Finn Bradshaw - Herald Sun - 21 July

EXCLUSIVE: JASON Akermanis has broken his silence for the first time since being sacked by the Western Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs today terminated his contract for what they said were ongoing breaches of trust in the controversial footballer’s fourth season at the club.

Akermanis told the Herald Sun this afternoon he was disappointed by the club’s decision.

“I wanted nothing more than help the club in the finals,” the three-time premiership winner said.

“The only problem is they didn’t want my help.”

Article in full...

Can't wait for the article tomorrow, I'm sure it will paint an entirely accurate picture of what happened.

And what a joy that he broke his silence after what, two hours?

I (believe) I was the Last person to see Aka leave the Club.
I was outside the Pound main entrance talking to a friend when Aka Walked Hurriedly from the "Kennel".
I gave him the Thumbs up and "Wink". All I got in return was a shrug and he continued on his way.
Later as waiting on a fellow supporter to arrive, we have recently sponsored Patrick Rose for the remainder of the season, I quizzed The "DRE" and a Staff member about Aker's attitude, and was met with very cautious replies. I appreciate the way that they didn't leak the SHOCK announcement. However while watching the training session with other supporters, we could tell via the body language, even from the trainers that something was going on.
I for one wish Aka all the best for his future.
He has been a Great Assess to our Club.
We knew when he came that he was controversial, and he has been.
But, he has, formost of his time, given his all to the Red White & Blue.

Let's not ostrisize him(hope that's the way to spell it)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shnookie

I (believe) I was the Last person to see Aka leave the Club.
I was outside the Pound main entrance talking to a friend when Aka Walked Hurriedly from the "Kennel".
I gave him the Thumbs up and "Wink". All I got in return was a shrug and he continued on his way.
Later as waiting on a fellow supporter to arrive, we have recently sponsored Patrick Rose for the remainder of the season, I quizzed The "DRE" and a Staff member about Aker's attitude, and was met with very cautious replies. I appreciate the way that they didn't leak the SHOCK announcement. However while watching the training session with other supporters, we could tell via the body language, even from the trainers that something was going on.
I for one wish Aka all the best for his future.
He has been a Great Assess to our Club.
We knew when he came that he was controversial, and he has been.
But, he has, formost of his time, given his all to the Red White & Blue.

Let's not ostrisize him(hope that's the way to spell it)

---

Well said....I won't ostracise him (or you for spelling it wrong!:) )

If the club has done this because Akermanis leaked information in team meetings and disclosed information about players then doesn't this all make it worse? He can say whatever he wants now publicly. As much as people say this will galvanise the team I think that it also has the potential to derail our season.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by arkie

If the club has done this because Akermanis leaked information in team meetings and disclosed information about players then doesn't this all make it worse? He can say whatever he wants now publicly. As much as people say this will galvanise the team I think that it also has the potential to derail our season.

---

I think this will make the side stronger as it was the players who were sick of his atittude, now he has gone they will be stronger.
The only thing that could derail us is maybe the meida and supporters abuse etc.
Lets take a step back here, Cooney was put under the pump last week, why?
Players I suggest like Cooney more than Aker, you upset a team favourite who do you think the players will not like?

The book ? if true ,thats another 3 team mates he has had a go at, anyone playing aussie rules would know you dont bag your mates.
He was making enemies not friends, thus upsetting a lot of his own club , what choice did the club have? ONE.

Right now as fired up as I am, I would welcome back Nathan Brown before I would Aker.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AndrewP6

Well said....I won't ostracise him (or you for spelling it wrong!:) )

---

Thanks Andrew ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by arkie

If the club has done this because Akermanis leaked information in team meetings and disclosed information about players then doesn't this all make it worse? He can say whatever he wants now publicly. As much as people say this will galvanise the team I think that it also has the potential to derail our season.

---

So i he did leak info, how come we've not heard any of it in the media?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledge

The book ? if true ,thats another 3 team mates he has had a go at, anyone playing aussie rules would know you dont bag your mates.
.

---

This book thing, it's all unproven. See how fearful people are of the mighty pen. I think the players were jumping at shadows myself. But if I were them, I probably would have been as wary.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledge

I think this will make the side stronger as it was the players who were sick of his atittude, now he has gone they will be stronger.
The only thing that could derail us is maybe the meida and supporters abuse etc.

---

Tired of hearing this same old, crap line.

We thought the '08 Finals series would make us stronger, enabling us to take the next step. It didn't happen.

We thought we'd learnt from the '08 QF coming into the game v Geelong. It didn't happen.

We thought we'd be able to handle pressure moments in the final v St. Kilda. It didn't happen.

This entire year has hardly been one to remember thus far either. Time to turn it around and still have an impact, but if I had a dollar for every time we said "this will make us stronger", "this will help us take the next step", or "the players' will be hungrier now than ever" .... I'd be a very, very rich man. We've shown in the past we can't deal with expectation and pressure, so until I see a buck in the trend, I'm not going to say scenarios like this will make us stronger.

It's make or break, boom or bust this finals series.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Desipura

Right now as fired up as I am, I would welcome back Nathan Brown before I would Aker.

---

omg!!!!!!!:eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic Griffen

omg!!!!!!!:eek:

---

Classic eh?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ledge

I think this will make the side stronger as it was the players who were sick of his atittude, now he has gone they will be stronger.
The only thing that could derail us is maybe the meida and supporters abuse etc.
Lets take a step back here, Cooney was put under the pump last week, why?
Players I suggest like Cooney more than Aker, you upset a team favourite who do you think the players will not like?

The book ? if true ,thats another 3 team mates he has had a go at, anyone playing aussie rules would know you dont bag your mates.
He was making enemies not friends, thus upsetting a lot of his own club , what choice did the club have? ONE.

---

Are you saying EVERY single player wanted Aker gone? I find that hard to believe. Surely Aker had mates in the team. I doubt it'd make the team stronger, in fact I think it'd split the team if anything. That's just my opinion though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ghost Dog

Classic eh?

---

Ghost Dog, as you say, this has been an interesting "debate" amongst us Woofers! There indeed have been some classic comments that I find a little hard to understand!:rolleyes:

Heard Ricky Oalrenshaw on SEN who was rather scathing on Aker's inability to listen to anyone. He was warned on not appearing on Morning Brekky show in that the need to gather ratings and headlines would be detrimental.I hear he's managed by the lapsed Richmond fan shock jock Steve Price. Also Oalrenshaw thinks that he should let the dust settle then comment,but I guess it's impossible for Jason to just shut the F*** up!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by arkie

If the club has done this because Akermanis leaked information in team meetings and disclosed information about players then doesn't this all make it worse? He can say whatever he wants now publicly. As much as people say this will galvanise the team I think that it also has the potential to derail our season.

---

Agreed...mental fortitude hasn't been a hallmark of our season thus far.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Remi Moses

Heard Ricky Oalrenshaw on SEN who was rather scathing on Aker's inability to listen to anyone. He was warned on not appearing on Morning Brekky show in that the need to gather ratings and headlines would be detrimental.I hear he's managed by the lapsed Richmond fan shock jock Steve Price. Also Oalrenshaw thinks that he should let the dust settle then comment,but I guess it's impossible for Jason to just shut the F*** up!

---

I heard Ricky O on Gold 104, and the main theme of the discussion was all the work he'd done with Aker. He went through the great things he'd done for him. If Aker was getting humility lessons from him, it was the wrong person!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by arkie

Are you saying EVERY single player wanted Aker gone? I find that hard to believe. Surely Aker had mates in the team. I doubt it'd make the team stronger, in fact I think it'd split the team if anything. That's just my opinion though.

---

He probably does have mates at the club but this wasnt about mates this was a professional talk on the club and whats best for it.
Obviously all the problems that were from him meant they as a team couldnt have him
anymore.
Depending on how the meetings were held (and being 3 of them), I would say by the third one it had got to unanimous, his mates couldnt defend him after 2 times.
How many times can you defend a mate after 2 times being pulled in to line?
I have no doubt his mates stuck up for him in 2 meetings but after 3 times its pretty much all over red rover.
Also like to add after 2 times getting his mates to defend him dont you think you would help your mates and not put them in that position 3 times?
The meetings would have been fact driven so in the end even mates have no choice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ghost Dog

Classic eh?

---

As mentioned in another thread, just wait until Akers book comes out (most probably during our finals campaign.