HE’S back – but Jason Akermanis is yet to lock in the three-year deal he sought from North Albury.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Brownlow medallist will coach the club in 2017, however, the Hoppers would once again re-assess its coaching options this time next year.
North Albury committee member Paul Spencer said the other members of the coaching panel, Clint Gilson, Roy Fulford, and John Teunon, would also continue.
“As far as Jason’s contract goes, the term of that will be covered as time goes on, but at this stage he’s definitely confirmed for the 2017 season,” he said.
“We’ll go through the same process next year, a lot will depend on what the terms and conditions of his contract done this year are, but at this stage he’s confirmed for 2017.
“We’ll look at 2018 and 2019 over the next six or so months.”
Spencer said the decision to re-appoint Akermanis, who did not attend the announcement, was largely influenced by the playing group.
“Basically the confidence that our players currently have in him and the professionalism he’s brought to the club (were behind the decision),” Spencer said.
“We lost about 35 players last year, but to bring in the kids that we have and what we've been able to get out of them is a lot more than anyone, even the media, would have expected.
“We're actually reasonably happy with where the club is at, and believe there's a lot of improvement in those kids.”
Despite enduring an exodus of quality players last year, Spencer said the club was well placed to improve.
“Losing players is always a thing you’ve got to look at,” he said.
“But unless you sit down with every single player and ask them the reasons why, you can't really pinpoint one reason why they have left.
“You're never going to hang on to every player at your club, all you can do is work with what you've got.
“At our stage, we're looking to work with and promote our junior players.”
With the coaching structure locked away for the foreseeable future, Spencer said the club would look to address a lack of senior depth ahead of the next season.
“We need to pick up some senior players to put around the kids,” he said.
“If you talk to Aker, he'll always say finals are our first step.
“We'd love to be there next year and moving forward.
“We want Jason to maintain the professionalism he's brought to the club, to retain all the players, to continue to develop our kids.
“The operations committee have a few people they're talking to and would like to talk to, but as always, you’d like to keep those under your hat.”
The Hoppers are currently eighth on the Ovens and Murray ladder with jut five wins after 13 rounds.
After opening the season in stylish fashion, consecutive and heavy losses to the likes of Lavington and the Wodonga Raiders derailed their finals ambitions.