Akermanis, who said finals aren’t on the Hoppers’ radar, will leave at quarter-time of the match at Bunton Park for “an important function that I can’t miss”.

Assistant Clinton Gilson will assume control in the coaches box with Dan Leslie and Rory Feltwell to take charge on the field for one of the Hoppers’ biggest games of the year.

“It’s an important function that I can’t miss – it’s been two years in the making and I can’t get around it,” Akermanis said.

“Last year I had a full month off and they survived fine.

“Clinton Gilson coming on board has been great for our coaching group – it’s been great having that extra resource.

“Even when I’ve been there we haven’t been playing exactly how I’d like.”

North Albury is sitting in sixth position, just four points and less than three per cent behind the Saints, but Akermanis said returning to the top five wasn’t his main priority.

The Hoppers have won six of their past seven matches against the Saints but enter the round 12 contest having lost four of their past five outings by an average of 70 points.

“I’ve said to our group, don’t worry about finals, let’s just get back to playing some good, fun, attractive football that we know we can play and that we can get shots on goal and results with,” Akermanis said.

“Our ability hasn’t changed, we’re just not doing it. Right now, we are nowhere we should be but that’s OK, we’re only young and it will take time.

“If we want to play finals, we have to earn the right to play finals.

“Everyone wants to get you to focus on the results, must-win this, must-win that, the process of what we need to do is way more important.”​

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