Jason Akermanis
Jason Akermanis File

Aker pulls on Blues jersey

JASON Akermanis' guest appearance for the Coolangatta Blues this Saturday might just be the last opportunity for his fans to see him play in Queensland.

The three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player and Brownlow Medallist will line up for the Blues in their local derby against Palm Beach Currumbin at Len Peak Oval, Kirra.

It appears that a farewell appearance for his former club, Mayne Tigers (who are in the same competition as Coolangatta and Palm Beach), is not on the horizon. Akermanis conceded there was a good chance this would be his final playing appearance in Queensland.

“Is it my last game in Queensland? Most likely…you never know I won't say for sure,” he said.

“It's probably more than likely (my last game in Queensland).

“I haven't spoken to anyone from Mayne.”

Akermanis has already made guest appearances for the Milawa Demons and Heywood Lions in country Victoria, in what he is dubbing his “farewell footy tour”, something which came about through a contact from up here on the Gold Coast.

“Last year I had this business model idea, and I was talking to some people in the industry, and one guy in particular, Steve Edwards, said ‘Are you keen to play?'

“I said ‘Yeah I am', and he said ‘I've got a few clubs who are interested'.

“It's good for me; I get to go around the country and play a bit of footy still.”

Akermanis has not made a point of doing any research on his one-off teammates or opposition, instead focusing on his own preparation for the match.

“No I try not to actually,” he said.

“For one-off games I like to get my preparation right, make sure I am physically fine during the week.

“Things like having a couple of runs, getting some physio, going down to the local park and doing some skill work.

“That's probably the most important thing.”

But there was one teammate Akermanis said he would be getting to know right away.

“The first guy I usually get to know is the ruckman,” he said.

“If you're playing on ball you have got to call his name.”

On the night prior to the match, Akermanis, along with fellow Brownlow Medallist Barry Round, will headline a sportsman night at the Kirra Sports Club.

Akermanis has been banned from speaking at any official AFL function, but said he did not see it as an opportunity to tee off at the AFL.

“I don't know about cutting loose,” he said.

“I (will) tell a little bit about my life…I've had a pretty interesting life.

“It will be nothing like you think it will be.”

And if the Blues get the four points on Saturday, can we expect the famous Jason Akermanis hand stand post game?

“I have no doubt if we (the Blues) can get up over Palm Beach, we will be doing some kind of hand stand.”



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