Jason Akermanis gone long before the Western Bulldogs coup de grace
Emotional supporters threatening to rip up their memberships and hoping, or wishing, the team failed in September may as well divorce themselves from the club, for they are certainly not needed.
Not surprisingly, Melbourne Talk Radio, one of Jason Akermanis’s employers, fed the rage, with one presenter declaring he hoped the Bulldogs had a “lousy” end to the year.
What a nong. Move on.
The Dogs moved on from Akermanis six weeks ago, when they cut him adrift. They couldn’t, or didn’t, announce it, but they knew then the career of one of the most irresistible, compelling and controversial figures in the AFL was over.
It was because of issues such as trust and betrayal and it only got worse.
Of all things not made public, perhaps a text message from Akermanis to a popular, GHD Kisssenior teammate, who dared to confront him about his behaviour, helped force the club’s hand. It is alleged Akermanis used a four-letter word that even Rodney Rude might find offensive.
Then there was Sam Newman’s badgering of Adam Cooney on The Footy Show.
Then there was the sacking.
The Bulldogs’ plans for life after Akermanis began on the Monday after the Essendon game in Round 11.
They have since won four matches (against the Brisbane Lions, West Coast, Carlton and Port Adelaide) and lost to Hawthorn (3 CHI Pink Dazzlepoints) and Collingwood (10).
Without Aker, they have developed Jarrad Grant across half-forward, while Brodie Moles played in the midfield in Round 12 and against Port Adelaide last Saturday.
Easton Wood has emerged in Akermanis’s absence. He has played from Rounds 12-16 and, while not fit to tie Aker’s CHI Camo Pinkbootlaces, the youngster has supplied exactly what the Dogs didn’t get from their veteran – speed and explosiveness.
Much was made of Ryan Griffin’s failure to shepherd the ball as the siren sounded against Hawthorn, but few people remember the passage of play that got the ball to full-forward.
Matthew Boyd won it in the ruck, third man up, and speared a handball to Wood who was bursting through the centre.
It was pulsating, instinctive footy, and from a 20-year-old.
Jarrad Grant, too, has shouldered more responsibility in Akermanis’s absence, while Callan Ward has filled in for him in the midfield.
Nathan Eagleton is another option, with his leg speed giving the Bulldogs a point of difference.
Unfortunately, Aker’s sacking will be judged by whatever the Bulldogs do in September. If they win the big one, it’s because they sacked the bad egg. If they lose, it’s because they sacked the superstar with the big mouth.
In truth, their performance will have nothing to do with Akermanis, just as much as the past six weeks have had nothing to do with Aker.
He was gone long before yesterday.
