On the eve of his 300th AFL game, the 32-year-old continues to belie the notion that this is likely to be his last season (he likes to think the door is “slightly ajar”), averaging 20 touches, two goals and four tackles in his seven appearances to be among the Western Bulldogs’ best-performed players.
He’s rapt he has himself in his own Dream Team. However, Akermanis is decidedly uncomfortable with certain public perceptions that paint him as – well, let’s not beat around the bush – an arrogant, self-centred big-mouth who places his own interests before those of the team.
The infinite value of ‘Aker’ the player has never been questioned. A Brownlow Medal. Two best and fairests in star-studded Brisbane Lions’ sides.
Indeed, he’s an all-time great, and seemingly a certainty to one day be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. But for most of this decade, questions have been raised about the wisdom of his typically forthright comments in his various media roles in television, radio and print.
Despite what many people naturally assume, Akermanis does care about what other people think, and is somewhat concerned about the potential for what he regards as inaccurate perceptions of him as a person to overshadow his playing career.
“Over the journey,” he explains, “I’ve given more to the group, more inside the club, more to the game than most, and been part of successful teams, yet you get lumped with that perception.
“Am I missing something here? Do people think that success was just a fluke? You still need to work well with people around you.
“To get to 300 games, you have to be doing a lot of things right consistently. You don’t get there by being selfish and undisciplined. No one could ever say I didn’t get the most out of myself.”