Sport
25 May, 2023
Ex-AFL star set to light up Warrack
The stage is set for the Warrack Eagles Football and Netball Club to welcome AFL legend Jason Akermanis to its rank for one game only. The 2001 Brownlow medalist and three-times premiership player will pull on the boots for Warrack’s Senior side...
The stage is set for the Warrack Eagles Football and Netball Club to welcome AFL legend Jason Akermanis to its rank for one game only.
The 2001 Brownlow medalist and three-times premiership player will pull on the boots for Warrack’s Senior side this Saturday when the Eagles take on the Stawell Warriors, with the former still searching for their first win of the season.
The goal-sneak played a total 325 games for the Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs, kicking 421 goals across his 15-year career.
Akermanis’ appearance is following the trend of ex-AFL stars appearing in one-off games in local footy clubs as part of the AFL’s Carlton Draft initiative - however Akermanis is not part of the initiative.
The once-off appearance was organised by Jason Mullings, who is involved with the Warrack Eagles and knows Jason Fog, who is on a podcast with Akermanis.
It is unclear whether Akermanis is being paid to appear for the Eagles.
Warrack Eagles Football and Netball Club president Zane Jess said having Akermanis play the one-off game will be “pretty exciting”.
“It might be the boost that the club needs,” he said.
“Obviously we haven’t had a win yet, so hopefully bringing someone in like Jason Akermanis is just going to boost everyone up for the day.
“Hopefully it’s going to bring numbers through the gates to start with, and then obviously, after the game, he is doing a sportsman night, so we have already got nearly 115 people booked in for that.”
The sportsman night will see Jason Fog interviewing Akermanis on his playing days, life post-football and what he is up to now, with audience members also having the opportunity to ask questions.
Zane said there is a bit of buzz around the club surrounding Akermanis’ appearance this Saturday.
“It’s probably come at the right time for the club to bring someone like this in, and with us not winning a game yet, it’s probably going to lift everyone’s spirits up a little bit,” he said.
“I am tipping that it might be a bit bigger crowd than normal. People that followed Akermanis back in the day and watched him on TV, I am pretty sure they will be excited to have him in their hometown.”
While Zane said they are hoping they can make “a bit of money out of it”, the appearance is more for the community and to provide something different for the community.
“Akermanis was up on Thursday for training, and hopefully we can get him to play gold today,” he said.
“He was at Auskick last night. We can’t thank him enough for what he is doing for the club.
“If you are ever going to see a three-time premiership player and Brownlow medalist play in your hometown, Saturday is the perfect opportunity to come through the gates and watch him.”
The Warrack Eagles Seniors side will take on the Stawell Warriors tomorrow at Anzac Park, with the first bounce at 2.20pm.