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Jason Akermanis |
| Akermanis or "Aka" as he is universally known,
was drafted by the Bears in 1995. He was unique in that he attended Brisbane
Elite Rugby School, Nudgee, on an athletics scholarship. He played junior
football for the Mayne Tigers.
He readily admits he was the wild one, but his world started
to fall apart with the death of his mother, and the responsibility of a
younger brother thrust upon him. The steading influence was the arrival at the
Lions of coach "Lethal" Leigh Matthews. Aka had a great year in 1999 making the
All Australian Team and winning the Best and Fairest for Australia in the
International Series against Ireland. He also won the Best and Fairest for the
LIons with Justin Leppitsch. He also started with his trademark Hand stand and
kissing the Gabba turf after a win in a salute to the fans.
The cover below was released by First Class Collectables to commemorate
Akermanis' win. |
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| 2001 saw
the Lions start slowly but then they strung together a record number of wins and
stormed into the Grand Final. Grand Final week traditionally starts with the
Brownlow Medal Count on the Monday. The Lions did not travel to Melbourne due to
the "Ansett Collapse" but had their own function at the Gabba. Michael Voss was
second favourite to Adelaide's McLeod but Aka prevailed to become Brisbane's
second medalist after Voss.
More success was to come with the Lions
travelling to Melbourne to meet reigning premiers, the Essendon Bombers. The
Lions dominated early but were very inaccurate in front of goal. By half time
the Bombers had a 14 point lead. It was thought that the Lions superior fitness
would prevail in a 27 degree sunny day and this proved to be the case with the
Brisbane team winning by 26 points. The final score was 15.18.108 to 12.10.82.
Below is one of two covers produced by "Lobo8" to commemorate the Lions
Premiership win. |
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| Although not winning
the Brownlow in 2002, Aka still won the goal of the year,
All Australian
selection and kicked the winning goal in the 2002 Premiership after brilliant
coaching by Leigh Matthews.
First Class Collectables
released covers showing Jason
Akermanis and his
famous
Akers Handstand
as well as
in action
during the game, Lobo8
released a cover showing
"Back to bacb" cachet with Aka
and the Lions Stamp.
Coversplease also released a cover of
Jason Akermanis.
After relatively poor games in the 2001 and 2002 Grand Finals, in 2003 Aka
played to expectations kicking five goals.
First Class Collectables released a
Cover
and Coversplease also
released a
Cover.
First
Class Collectables issued covers
to commemorate the Best and Fairest winners in 2005 including
Jason Akermanis for Brisbane, 2006 saw the trading of Aka to the Western Bulldogs after flare ups with
coach Leigh Matthew. |
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