More on Aker

[Sid]

I reckon if jude bolton and brett kirk arent showing the form they are in now, we would definitely want to recruit him. Aker has been down in form and his team hasnt been in the form they have been in the last 2 years.

I think he has looked at our success this year and hopes that he can bring a premiership for us. That would be a big achievement. But i understand and do not disagree with everyone else's comments.

[Red]

Looks like his contract negotiations have stalled, probably because he's playing so badly ATM (that's a very bad virus you have there Akka).

We don't want -- and more importantly, need -- a loud-mouthed former tyro stuffing things up now. Things are humming along nicely without a crop of 'stars' in the team and the outsized egos that accompany them.

Akamanis, Neitz -- what's with all these incredibly ugly* guys suddenly being linked to us? I guarantee you would never see a Mrs_David_Neitz or Akkas_babe on this board!

*Inside & out

[Charlie]

Originally posted by Red
Looks like his contract negotiations have stalled, probably because he's playing so badly ATM (that's a very bad virus you have there Akka).

We don't want -- and more importantly, need -- a loud-mouthed former tyro stuffing things up now. Things are humming along nicely without a crop of 'stars' in the team and the outsized egos that accompany them.

Akamanis, Neitz -- what's with all these incredibly ugly* guys suddenly being linked to us? I guarantee you would never see a Mrs_David_Neitz or Akkas_babe on this board!

*Inside & out

Grr... neitzys_babe was about to make her RWO debut... but she can't seem to post!!!

[desredandwhite]

Nicky D has the talent, if he puts in like Maxie or one of the tireless midfield combo of Crouch/Cressa etc, he will do many great things on the footy field. His workrate has been great lately.

[dimelb]

If Aker could play the play the way he talks the talk, move heaven and earth to get him. As it is, thank you, but no thank you.

[Plugger46]

Aker talks a lot of crap, but who cares what he says, at least he says what he thinks unlike others around.

He's an individual, and an excellent footballer, I understand what everyone is saying but I think I'd take the punt on him. He's not going so well at the moment, but i think that is part of the reason that Brisbane aren't going so well at the moment.

Who knows, a change of scenery, a new challenge, might be just what he needs.

All I'm saying is, I would definitely entertain the idea of picking him up. Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

[robbieando]

Whats the point of going after out of form players if we hope to "get them back into form" we need younger players not top ups

[Jon]

Originally posted by robbieando
Whats the point of going after out of form players if we hope to "get them back into form" we need younger players not top ups

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what Roos and the crew have in mind. But I think they've tapped a little more depth in the list than they thought they had at the beginning of the season...so perhaps an argument could be made for finding one ready-made player to go with the Newbies.

I'm sure Roos has already made the odd noise about this.

I've got no doubts Akker would compliment the list. He'll be 27 in Feb next year. That's almost exactly the same age as Willo when we picked him up. I don't think any of us would begrudge the decision to recruit him? Paul was on the outer at Collingwood, and many were critical of his form in his last season with the Pies. He wanted to leave - for various reasons - and perhaps that affected his football. Who's to say Akker is not in the same boat?

I think the comparison with Akker is fair. We know what he's capable of, he's experienced but not past it, tackles hard, and kicks great goals. I don't think we should let the odd poor soundbite from him cloud that fact. If media savvy was the determining factor in footy, I reckon Hawthorn would've dumped Crawford years ago.

[jixygirl]

I'm not so sure that it would be that good for Akermanis to come to Sydney. For one thing, he would probably ask for more money that we can afford and he has definitely not been in good form. However, you never know what can happen.

[sharp9]

Originally posted by lizz
The Roos badly wanted Grant and Schwass was the price Sydney demanded. Of course, Schwass could have refused to come to Sydney, but I reckon the fact that Pagan considered him expendable acted as something of a spur to him when he did get here.

I'm not too keen to expose my sources, but....I was told the story the other day (by someone who was in the room at the time) that Grant and Schwass not only had the same manager, but spent all day - the last of the trading period I suppose - in the manager's office drinking champagne and laughing while the manager played cat and mouse with the Swans and the Roos, getting extra hundreds of thousands for each of them based on the premise that Wayne didn't want to leave Norf, and that the two players haterd each other and would have to really be "well rewarded" if their names were to be linked etc..etc.....

It was a very successful negotiating tactic, obviously! I don't know about the players, but the people from the management company are still laughing to this day.

As for this year's trade NO AKERMANIS! I've said it before and I'll say it again. He is not the right kind of player for the 22-players-all-for-one-Sydney-Swans!

Hayes, on the other hand, would be fantastic, but, really I can't see him leaving St. Kilda and the captaining of a premiership team, even if he does comes from NSW (where abouts exactly, Charlie?)

The one that piqued my interest was another of my favourites MAL MICHAEL who made very big noises in the papers the other day about players having to consider their futures if they were expected to take a pay cut - might want to look for another challenge etc. etc. He's not a Victorian either (from memory) so there might be less reason to "go home."

I just checked and he's from Brisbane...And here's the article on him


Much on Michael's plate
Andrew Browne
afl.com.au
10:47:02 AM Thu 19 June, 2003


It may be a bye week but Brisbane Lions full-back Mal Michael has quite a few things on his plate as he prepares for the second half of the season.

The week started with AFL Queensland?s Team of the Century function on Monday night when Michael was named on the interchange bench in the final 24 from the original 100 nominations.


The weekend will see the end of an off-field business interest, celebrating a ?last supper? at ?The Alibi Room? ? a caf? restaurant owned and managed by Michael and wife Kim, but recently sold.

The Michael family is also expecting their first child in early October, but if the birth arrives early it may coincide with Grand final week and finally, Mal is out of contract with the Lions at the end of the year and Tuesday?s announcement of the players? new Collective Bargaining Agreement has left him and a few others at the club with a few sums to work out.

?The club has to assess who they can keep or not, but I would like to stay if I can,? Michael said on Wednesday.

?It is a problem because there other players in the same boat - I would not like to be in Graeme Allan?s (Brisbane Lions football manager) shoes.?

Michael, who turns 26 next week, next contract will be at a similar age of other players where they expect to be at the prime of their football career yet may not be able earn the highest possible dollar for that ability due to the quality of the Lions list and the salary cap.

He is prepared to wait until after the finals before the serious negotiations begin because a good performance may enhance the value, however,

?Some of the bargaining power has gone out of it because it is only a 3% pay rise, so things may be a little bit tight around the club,? commented Michael.

Another factor is the minimum number on any list will be 37, an increase for the Lions of two from this season which will place extra strain on the finances but Michael is all in favour of the increase.

?It will give two extra kids the chance to play AFL and it will provide hope for young Queensland footballers that there is a spot for them if they are good enough,? he explained.

If the Lions make the Grand Final, will a decision have to be made about being at the birth?

?I have already made an agreement with Leigh (Matthews) that I will play if required on Grand Final Day,? said Michael.

It brought back memories of when full-forward Daniel Bradshaw in the 2000 final series remained in Brisbane for the birth of his first child while the Lions played and lost a semi-final to Carlton at the MCG.

In April, Michael discussed the issue with his wife.

?Kim wasn?t too happy but understands my profession and what I do,? he added.

Last year on the weekend off Michael traveled to his birthplace, Papua-New Guinea, with teammate Luke Power to help the national team prepare for the inaugural International Cup series in Melbourne which they eventually lost in the Grand Final.

This year though he is definitely staying at home ? there is some organizing to do!

[Syd Swan]

If we are going to spend big dollars on a more senior player, we would be much better off getting a key backman rather than a midfielder, Mal Michael would be a good choice.

[penga]

Originally posted by sharp9
Hayes, on the other hand, would be fantastic, but, really I can't see him leaving St. Kilda and the captaining of a premiership team, even if he does comes from NSW (where abouts exactly, Charlie?)

pennant hills, close to home!

[Jon]

Mal Michael would be a great pick up. He'd really free Saddo up a little, as he has the strength and body to play that key defending role.

Fact is there may be a number of Brisbane boys...and other talented players from around the comp hitting the market to make the best of this new wages regime.

I don't think they'd backrupt us. Everyone knows there isn't a goldmine in Sydney anymore...or in the footy world in general for that matter.

As for not needing midfielders: You should always be looking to impove that area of the ground. And remember we will be losing some key midfielders very soon. Cressa gone, Nicks fading to nothing, Maxfield and Willo scaling down their role over the next few seasons. We'll need some midfielders to really stand up. Roos is already looking to see if we have thos players on our list already, but we shouldn't rule out looking around.

[red_avengers]

People against Aka

Maybe we could start a people against Aka like we had the people for Roos revolution. I echo other peoples view that this guy is arrogant, egocentric, bad attitude and ugly and that goes to neitz as well. We've got a good list now, some very promising youngsters, I'd like to see them more and not pay big money for some bigshot.

I'm sure Roosy won't let it happen. He is doing everything right so far this season. ROOS for PM.

[robbieando]

I rather see us build up out squad looking towards 5 years down the track, with draftees being choosen as replacements for the current midfield in that time. Why get Aker who has at best 5 years left in him, when we could draft a kid who could be with us for the next 10 years and at his peak play a bigger role in a premiership.

A quick fix isn't whats needed at this stage,