Aker a Lion at heart

As Justine McCullagh-Beasy reports, is Brownlow Medallist and three-time premiership player Jason Akermanis being used as Brisbane's get-out-of-jail card during unequivocally their worst year - both on the field and off - in the past decade?

It’s only round seven and already trade talk is heating up.

It has been a bruising start to the season for the Brisbane Lions, who have cemented themselves at the foot of the ladder, with talk of unrest between coach Leigh Matthews and champion Jason Akermanis prompting speculation that the triple premiership player will be shown the door at seasons end.

Despite winning a Brownlow in 2002, Akermanis exceeded his previous form with a dazzling display in 2005 going on to win his second club best and fairest.

Yet, in less than six months, Akermanis has seemingly lost his ability to talk the talk as well as walk the walk, thus leaving him with nothing to fall back on. Instead of rectifying his poor form, Akermanis has continued to spark the media with comments better left unsaid, which is proving to be the main cause of friction between he and Matthews.

Whilst AFL players should speak their minds, it should not be in order to cover up the poor form that is plaguing them. Akermanis has never had to endure such a tormenting bout of poor form and he is struggling to regain his brilliance as his mind wanders.

As a whole Brisbane are aching. Gone are the days where they ruled – the empire has crumbled and champions have fragmented. Matthews has for so long been surrounded by success that the pressure of coaching a lowly side is beginning to show.

Is Akermanis becoming a scapegoat for Brisbane’s pathetic form because of his loud mouth?

It has been well documented that the entire Lions outfit is struggling to gel as age takes its toll on their champions and inexperience inhibits the younger cubs ability to take a stranglehold on the game. For so long Brisbane neglected introducing new blood as the trophies and accolades rolled in, now forcing them to rush draftees into the side on a regular basis.

Akermanis could be considered the face of the club. He promotes well, excites and is willing to share his views on the hot topics and because he is well known it makes it easy to tear shreds into him as the club stares at the brink of failure. Although, his mouth tends to get him into trouble, he has undoubtedly become the scapegoat as Brisbane seeks a solution to their troubles.

Akermanis’s contract expires at the end of the 2007 season and he has stated that he intends to honour his commitment. Whether the Lions do the same depends on their own commitment and Akermanis’s ability to control his mouth and reproduce the form that saw him rise to elite status.

Until then, we wait.

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