NORTH Albury coach Jason Akermanis had good reason to leave the Hoppers’ match against Myrtleford early on Saturday.
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After all, it’s not every day you’re inducted into the Brisbane Lions’ Hall of Fame.
The triple premiership player and Brownlow medallist was already a member of the AFL Hall of Fame but was recognised for 248 games across 12 seasons in Brisbane.
He was a fan favourite in his time at the Gabba, kicking 307 goals, winning two best and fairests and earning All-Australian selection on four occasions.
Originally from Mayne Tigers, Akermanis holds the Queensland AFL games record with four seasons at the Western Bulldogs taking him to 325 matches for his career.
“It was huge,” he said.
“For me, being raised in Brisbane and coming through that program, it means even more.
“It’s a Lions family, as soon as you walk into those rooms you’re a part of the place.
“They’re all fantastic supporters, they really appreciate and respect what you did.
“It was great to hear about the joy you gave them.”
Akermanis was one of eight inductees, including Luke Power, Gary Pert and Matt Rendell, to the Hall of Fame at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt ballroom.
Fitzroy great Garry Wilson was elevated to legend status at the function, joining Michael Voss, Kevin Murray and Albury’s Haydn Bunton in elite Lions company.
Akermanis was interviewed by Jonathon Brown on stage at the Hall of Fame and he said it was enjoyable catching up with his former teammates.
“There was a lot of past players there, which was awesome,” he said.
“It was great to catch up with them because everyone gets caught up in life and I’m obviously based up north in Albury now.”
“We kicked eight points before we kicked a goal which hurts you because they were all gettable,” he said.
“It sounds like our execution fell away in the last quarter but overall it was a much improved performance.
“It was a good step forward for us. We had our chances.”
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