JASON Akermanis has put his AFL coaching ambitions on hold after re-committing to Ovens and Murray club, North Albury.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The 2001 Brownlow medallist and three-time premiership player will likely stay on as Hoppers coach next season, and possibly for two more years after that.
It’s a huge vote in confidence for the club, and would bring Akermanis’ tenure at Bunton Park to six seasons.
The club will likely rubber-stamp a deal in the coming weeks.
“I reckon it would be a better story if we stuck around and won a premiership in the O and M, than just sort of build it up and just leave,” Akermanis said.
“And the family loves it here, the lifestyle’s great.
“I’m certainly locked in for next year, (but) I have got offers from the AFL.
“I’m ready to go back in (to the AFL system) but I want to have a crack at the Ovens and Murray with some kind of equalization, too.”
Akermanis took over with the club at the bottom of the ladder and in debt.
He led North to the finals in his first year – 2013 – but the Hoppers missed out on the top five last season.
With four rounds remaining this season, the Hoppers are in the box seat to return to the finals.
President Mark Cronin said the club was thrilled with the way Akermanis had developed the playing list.
“We’re really happy with his performance,” he said.
“There weren’t many predicting we’d play finals this year.”
Akermanis still has AFL ambitions, spending time with Mick Malthouse at Carlton earlier in the season.
But he has unfinished business at North Albury.
“I actually thought we under-achieved last year,” Akermanis said.
“I thought we should have played finals.”
Meanwhile, Wangaratta’s Daniel Boyle has received a two-game ban at the tribunal for his sling tackle last week.
