Jason Akermanis

LIVE @ Co. Friday May 28

Born in Mildura, Victoria, Jason Akermanis moved to Brisbane at age nine. He learned his football with QAFL club Mayne, where he enjoyed a stand-out junior career and was claimed by the Brisbane Bears prior to the 1994 National Draft.

Since his debut in the 1995 season, while still doing Year 12, ‘Aker’ has carved out an amazing playing CV. In 2006 after 10 seasons with the Brisbane Lions Aker made the highly publicised move to the Western Bulldogs. Now based in Melbourne he continues his career as one of the most decorated players in the AFL.

Jason Akermanis released an autobiography at the end of 2004 titled “Aka: The Battle Within”.

He became a first-time father in the off season of 2005 with the birth of Charlotte. In 2008 he and wife Megan added to their family with the birth of their second daughter Sienna.

Akermanis is fluent in Auslan, often using it to communicate messages to his wife and her (deaf) family during matches. He can also speak Spanish.

A full-time footballer, he has completed some terrific community work in the Life’s A Ball and Beyond Blue programs, initiatives aimed at speaking to troubled high school students and trying to help set them on the right track with their lives.

Aker also has a high level involvement within the media, appearing regularly on print, radio and TV. Aker is very outspoken on issues concerning the AFL and other codes, this makes him one of the games most exciting and colourful personalities.