Jason Akermanis

Jason Akermanis
Akermanis in 2007
Personal information
Full name	Jason Dean Akermanis
Nickname(s)	Aker
Date of birth	(1977-02-24) 24 February 1977 (age 40)
Place of birth	Mildura, Victoria, Australia
Original team(s)	Mayne (QAFL)
Draft	NAT Zone Selection, 1994, Brisbane Bears
Height / weight	177cm / 85kg
Position(s)	Midfielder / Forward
Playing career¹
Years	Club	Games (Goals)
1995–1996	Brisbane Bears	038 0(44)
1997–2006	Brisbane Lions	210 (263)
2007–2010	Western Bulldogs	077 (114)
Total		325 (421)
Representative team honours
Years	Team	Games (Goals)
1996–1998	The Allies	3 (0)
International team honours
1999–2000	Australia	4 (0)
¹ Playing statistics correct to the end of 2010.
Career highlights
3× AFL Premiership: 2001, 2002, 2003 Brownlow Medal: 2001 4× All-Australian team: 1999, 2001-2002, 2004 2× Merrett-Murray Medal: 1999, 2005 Brisbane Lions Leading Goal Kicker: 2004 Western Bulldogs Leading Goal Kicker: 2009 Australian Football Hall of Fame
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Jason Dean Akermanis (born 24 February 1977) is a former Australian rules football player. He is a Brownlow Medallist and triple premiership player who played for the Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs.

Akermanis was born in Mildura, Victoria but moved to Queensland at 9 years of age. Once arriving in Queensland in 1986, Akermanis immediately signed up to play for the Mayne under-10s side.

When he was 13, Akermanis discovered that he was not the son of his mother's former partner, John Akermanis. His father was Denis Dezdjek. He was educated at Wavell State High School then at St. Joseph's Nudgee College and played football with the Mayne Football Club in the QAFL where he was spotted by Brisbane Bears talent scouts. He completed year 12 at high school (aged 18) during his first year with the Brisbane Bears.

Akermanis was a solid contributor to the Brisbane Bears midfield (wing), with his pace and skills evident even early in his career.

It was after the Brisbane Lions formed that he began to shine, bulking up significantly, and a move to the forward line enabled him to make the most of his opportunities and develop a reputation as a goal sneak.

Akermanis became one of the Brisbane Lions' most talented players. His flamboyant talents and bleached-blonde hair and contrasting black beard make him easy to identify on the field. At the Lions he made his name as a speedy midfielder or on-baller with blistering acceleration and an uncanny ability to kick exceptionally well with either foot, talents which helped him win the AFL's coveted Brownlow Medal in 2001.

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