There has been plenty of speculation over whether Bulldog veteran Jason Akermanis had played his last game at the club and today it was confirmed that the 33 year old had been sacked.
Akermanis was originally suspended by the Bulldogs for two weeks after writing a controversial newspaper column on homosexual footballers but only served his time in the VFL three weeks ago due to a hamstring injury. He landed himself in more hot water recently when it was revealed that he leaked details of a meeting with his teammates to ‘The Footy Show’ TV personality Sam Newman and this looked to be the final straw.
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade told the media on Wednesday morning that the Brownlow Medallist had showed some decent form playing for affiliate Williamstown and was a chance of playing this week against Fremantle but front up later at a press conference alongside club president David Smorgan and football operations manager James Fantasia to issue the news. Smorgan told the press that Akermanis was given the opportunity to retired but declined so club had terminated his contract, due to breaches confidentiality.
The Lions premiership star joined the Dogs after a falling out which saw him lose the trust of his former teammates and coach Leigh Matthews due to his outspoken comments. After 77 games in the red, white and blue Akermanis looks to have fallen into a similar mess, despite re-assuring the club that his priorities were with the playing group.
The 325-game veteran will leave the club immediately but will have his contract paid out.
About AFL Online
has written 216 post in this blog.
AFL Online provides the latest news and information on all thing AFL. Follow AFL Online on Twitter and Facebook to get the latest news before anyone else. Or subscribe to our mailing list below.
Latest Articles:
September 25, 2008 at 11:12 am
It is harsh when this sort of thing happens, but Scottie must have known he was a very low chance to play on. With all the money in footy, perhaps guys like scottie can be retained as mentors for a year on a base salary to help them ease out of the club. Those of us who saw him in the twos, winced in agony for him, but I am not sure why they did not axe Johnson and Akermanis as well. Akermanis has given Footscray nothing, never gets his shorts dirty, and has a lot to say, most of it dribble. Johnson seems to have lost it, he tries hard, but he looks a liability. To lose to Geelong when 6 opportunities were missed by inaccurate kicking is such a discipline error, I felt for Rocket and David Smorgon, and the fans, heartbreaking stuff. Good luck Scottie West, you have been a joy to watch over the years, and coaching is an option.