Jason Akermanis says he no longer has AFL coaching aspirations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Akermanis stunned the Hoppers on Friday night when it was announced family commitments wouldn’t allow him to take up his fifth season as coach.
“At this stage there’s no coaching plans and certainly no plans for the AFL,” he said.
“You never say never but I have no desire at the moment.”
Long-time star Daniel Leslie and last season’s assistant Clinton Gilson will co-coach the Hoppers, with Akermanis to fill a part-time role.
The Hoppers’ first-year president praised the work ethic of the Brownlow Medallist.
“I think Jason’s brought an increased level of professionalism to the club,” Andre Dowding said.
“I think he’s been instrumental in creating a strong culture inside the playing group and I think he’s bought a lot of knowledge that probably only an elite AFL player can bring to North Albury, so I think he’s been good for us.”
The three-time Brisbane premiership player signed as coach of the Hoppers in October, 2012.
The Hoppers had just won the wooden spoon, but he took them to finals in his first year.
However, the football club announced a $135,000 debt in January, 2014, and a stack of top-liners left.
“We turned over a lot of players, which was needed, as we couldn’t afford to pay some of them,” he said.
“One of the other highlights was the players who stayed loyal.
“They had a great work ethic and enjoyed learning and those types of players are a joy to coach.
“In reality the best day at North was Friday, because it’s the first time in four years that we are out of debt.”
Akermanis has been the league’s most polarising figure, and his criticism of some of those players for leaving caused enormous angst.
“He’ll be missed by quite a few, and I’m sure there will be some happy to see him go, but that doesn’t matter who you are, I think that’s the case,” Dowding said.
“But certainly from my dealings with him, and I know my nephew Don Brew’s dealings with him, he’s been absolutely fantastic.”
Akermanis retired from playing at the end of 2014, but made a shock return for three games last season.
He kicked 22 goals for the club, and coached 32 wins and 42 losses.
“I came here to learn the art of coaching,” Akermanis said.
“I was a rookie coach and the club was patient with me from the beginning as I was learning my craft and making lots of errors, but that is the way we all learn.
“I’m very grateful to those people, and to the players … I was very lucky to have them.”
