Aker Rumours put to bed

[Johnny Roberts]

Aker wants to stay in Brisbane- afl.com.au

Looks like Aker is just playing the "swans" card with his contract ngotiations

[SWANSBEST]

We have been in a lather over nothing !!. Aker has played one club off against the other .



Aker wants to stay in Brisbane
5:00:26 PM Wed 21 May, 2003
Andrew Browne
afl.com.au
In typical Jason Akermanis fashion he has stolen the show prior to Brisbane training on Wednesday by announcing that not only does he want to stay with the Lions but wants to finish his playing career with them.

Teammate Luke Power had just completed the official Lions media duties for the day when Akermanis indicated he wanted to set the record straight and dispel the rumours over the last two weeks that he could move to the Sydney Swans at the end of the season.


?I just want to go on the record to make sure everyone knows that as soon as we can sit down with the club and nut out a deal that will make sure I am here for life and will see me finish my career here,? Akermanis said.

?I want to play football at the one club which would be fantastic,? he added.

Speculation surrounding the playing future of the 2001 Brownlow Medallist had increased in recent days particularly after his appearance on The Footy Show when he continually dodged Sam Newman?s questions on the subject.

The topic was something Akermanis wishes he had acted on earlier.

?Certainly the rumours have been persisting and I probably haven?t got on the front foot enough and just said, this is what is going on,? Akermanis said.

The Lions are just as anxious as anyone waiting to learn of their fate as far as the salary cap concessions and the players? new collective bargaining agreement being announced.

Akermanis, 26, said he was ready to talk with the Lions as soon as those issues have been resolved.

?As soon as we know about the salary cap we can go forward from there and stay for the next four years and finish my career here,? he said.

Brisbane chief executive Michael Bowers did not want to comment on individual player contracts but described Akermanis? comments as ?pleasing to hear?.

?I?m sure the members and the public would also be pleased to see him remain a Brisbane Lions player as well,? Bowers said.

According to Akermanis the fact he was coming out of contract led to the speculation and the rumour he may be heading to the Harbour City was just that ? a rumour.

He appeared to accept the suspended $5000 fine handed down to him by the AFL on Tuesday over comments he made on the hypoxicator issue by making no mention of it on Wednesday.

[Plugger46]

Think it was just media hype.

[Cheer Cheer]

Well Akermanis has only himself to blame for this continuation of rumours about him in sydney. He had many chances to put this to rest, yet chose to play along with it, as he does with many things and he has finally realised that to much talk and joking are not good all the time.
You idiot.

[Rod_]

How else to get an extra few $ in your pay cheque - Let the club know that ??? Say Sydney is interested in you as a player and get their coach to agree...........

Im impress how simple is realy is..

Rod_

[Destructive]

Perhaps it's just as well, Brisbane would have wanted an arm & a leg for him.

[liz]

I seem to remember one ND assuring his club he'd be staying with them this time last year.

I know the circumstances are different, but players have to say what their current employer wants them to say, at least in May. Not trying to suggest that he does want to leave Brisbane - just that you should take most of these reports, one way or the other, with a pinch of salt until 10 minutes before the end of the trading period.

[Cheer Cheer]

Very true lizz, i mean he couldnt go on agreeing with that he was going to sydney for the rest of the year could he. There had to be a let up on the talk to give himself some rest from the hounding media. To think it is over imo is wrong. This isnt the last we have heard.

[jude_boltons_babe]

i always knew it was media hype

i always knew jason wanka akermanis wanted to stay with brisbane

[Reggi]

[scurrilous]

/snigger

[penga]

i thought it was suspicious

i always thought it was a bit suspicious

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by lizz
I seem to remember one ND assuring his club he'd be staying with them this time last year.

I know the circumstances are different, but players have to say what their current employer wants them to say, at least in May. Not trying to suggest that he does want to leave Brisbane - just that you should take most of these reports, one way or the other, with a pinch of salt until 10 minutes before the end of the trading period.

Very good comments Lizz.

[bricon]

The Acka story won?t go away until he actually re-signs with Brisbane. The Lions are under enormous salary cap pressure; most of their list agreed to a voluntary pay cut just to stay under the cap this year. Brisbane will have to get rid of some quality players next season; the question is which ones?

There will be speculation about any high profile Brisbane player who comes off contract this year, until they actually re-sign with the club.

[Plugger46]

Originally posted by bricon
The Acka story won?t go away until he actually re-signs with Brisbane. The Lions are under enormous salary cap pressure; most of their list agreed to a voluntary pay cut just to stay under the cap this year. Brisbane will have to get rid of some quality players next season; the question is which ones?

There will be speculation about any high profile Brisbane player who comes off contract this year, until they actually re-sign with the club.

Totally agree Bricon. Remember Nick Davis?